Chapter 37: The Welcoming Committee

Thursday, March 27, 2008

1535 HRS

Burnett Residence

Handbag, garment bag, suitcase, and her sunglasses are on top of her head, but where are they?

Frank watches Trish quietly turn a slow circle in their kitchen as she searches for some desired item.

Laura watches too, from her place at the small kitchen table, as she munches on a piece of banana bread. She helps herself to a swallow of milk before asking emphatically, "Grandma, what are you looking for? You've already checked everything twice."

Smiling at the girl, Trish shakes her head in exasperation and mutters beneath her breath. "What did I do with them this time?"

Having witnessed this particular event countless times in the 30-plus years they've been married, Frank winks at his granddaughter and decides to lend a helping hand. Without preamble, he says quietly to his wife, "On top of the microwave."

His words slide passed her; taking a long moment to register in her mind before she stops, turns, and lifts her key ring from the top of the aforementioned appliance. Holding it in the air victoriously, she declares, "Aha! Laura darling, without your grandfather, I'd be lost."

Giggling, Laura glances at Frank.

Across the table from her, he says conspiratorially, behind the rim of his coffee cup. "It's true. She keeps track of everything else in this house; including my car keys. Just don't ask her to find her own. And more often than not, when she is looking for them, they are right in front of her. She just can't see them."

Although its belied by the light in her eyes, Trish gives her husband a stern look. She's in too big a hurry and in too good a mood to bother being seriously annoyed. "Mac called the child welfare people. They may, or may not, stop by to check on Laura while we're gone. They're aware of the situation. I know we've been over this, but you know what to do if they show up?"

"I do." He nods calmly in affirmation.

She glances at the long list stuck to the refrigerator door courtesy of the magnet that is shaped like a ladybug. "You have all our numbers? Even Mac, Harm, and the Roberts' home phone number."

Frank nods patiently, and dutifully rises from his seat. He knows that if he doesn't shove her out the door, she's going to miss her flight. "Yes, I have everybody's phone numbers. Including the number to the hotel, Harriet's doctor's office, the local police department, the local fire department, and the local poison control center. I have Laura's physical therapist's phone number; I have her pediatrician's phone number. I even have Candy's veterinarian's phone number and address. I know what to do if Laura gets a leg cramp. I know what to do in case of an earthquake, or a freak flash flood… and if the backyard is suddenly and inexplicably over-run with bunny rabbits, I'll send Candy out there to deal with them." Picking up her suitcase and folding her garment bag over one arm, he takes her gently by the elbow and makes for the front door. "Stop worrying. We'll be fine. You'll be back on Sunday. How much trouble can we possibly get into in three days?"

Trish turns, swatting at his shoulder because he's being silly and squinting in response to the last question. She opens her mouth to tell him that she is quite certain he could find plenty of trouble in three days' time, but he cuts her off…

"Trish, honey, you don't want to be late. They won't hold the plane, and even if they would, I don't think Harm and Mac are going to feel much like waiting… Be a shame if they had to book another flight. It took quite a bit of planning to coordinate everybody's schedules for this ultrasound. Stop worrying… We love you. Now go!"

Laura abandons what's left of her snack, grabs her walker, and follows them, down the hall to the front door. "Yeah Grandma. Stop worrying. We got this. Go see my cousin."

Trish talks over her shoulder as Frank ushers her out the door. "Laura, darling, don't stay up too late… And don't let Grandpa to eat too much junk food while I'm gone."

Shaking his head, Frank chuckles quietly as he opens the driver's side door of his wife's car for her, before stowing her travel gear in the backseat.

Reluctantly, Trish slides in behind the wheel because he's right. She really does have to go. "You'll call if you need anything… or… if she gets lonesome?"

Smiling patiently, Frank closes the car door and then leans in through the open window to kiss his wife's cheek. "For the love of God; woman! You're leaving her with me, not some muddle-headed teenager. Get out of here, already. Go see our grandbaby!"

"Okay, I'm going. You'll answer if Skates or Keeter calls… If Skates needs them for anything…"

Frank says nothing. He simply stands up straight, puts his hands on his hips and raises an eyebrow.

"Okay, okay!" Smiling, she touches his face affectionately. She starts the engine and then blows a kiss to Laura as Frank steps to the little girl's side; placing an arm around her shoulders.

Only after Trish's car disappears from view does Frank turn to the girl and ask with a wide grin, "Do you wanna play chess… or poker?"

Laura squints; giving the question serious consideration. After a long beat, she nods emphatically. "Both!"

He laughs. "Alright! I'll get the chessboard." He motions her into the house ahead of him, and she's off like a shot.

"I'll get the cards. I know where they are."

"Of course, you do." Closing the door, he asks, "What do you want for dinner tonight, kiddo?"

Feeling somewhat duty bound, Laura calls loudly, on her way back to the kitchen, "I'm eating the chicken that Grandma made for us to eat tonight. She made coleslaw and beans too… but maybe after… we could make some cookies?"

By the time he makes it to the kitchen, she's gripping the countertop with one hand to stabilize herself while she stands on tiptoe and tries to snag the deck of cards from the back of the drawer where they're kept. She stops rummaging through the drawer long enough to look up at him with hopeful eyes.

"What kind of cookie would you like?"

"Chocolate chip, of course." She says as if there could be no other. "Maybe with some nuts."

"Well, in that case, we might have to put poker on hold. I'm pretty sure Grandma Trish used that the last of the walnuts in your banana bread. We might have to go to the store and get some more."

"I forget about my banana bread." Laura looks at her place at the table and finds that the small saucer that had contained what was left of her snack is now empty. Confused, she looks around the room until her eyes come to rest on her furry canine friend who is resting on a large green and yellow pillow in the corner of the room. "Candy, did you steal my snack?"

The lab's only reply is to lick her chops noisily and swish her tail side to side; thumping it against the wall.

"Ugh!" Laura groans in mild frustration while Frank chuckles merrily.

"Come on, honey." Frank says, picking up his own car keys from the countertop and giving them a jingle. "Bring your furry sidekick. If she behaves herself in the store, maybe I'll buy her a good girl biscuit."

At the mention of one of her favorite treats, Laura's dog beats them to the front door.

Friday, March 28, 2008

00:30 HRS Washington, DC

"Finally!" Harm exhales as he puts a key card into the lock of suite 619 of the Hotel Monaco. He pushes the door open, allowing the women with him to enter first before he maneuvers the luggage trolley in from the hallway.

As the door closes on nearly silent hinges with nothing more than a soft metallic click, Mac pats his shoulder affectionately and chastises lightly. "Quit complaining, Squid. The flight wasn't that bad. You're just anxious to be here. I swear if the delay before takeoff had lasted another 5 minutes you would've offered to fly the plane."

"I'm anxious?" Harm points to himself and raises one eyebrow dramatically; almost comically. "You didn't eat anything at all in flight; four hours and forty-five minutes trapped on a plane without food. We're back in D. C. and you didn't beg to stop for a Beltway Burger. I hope this food boycott doesn't last until after the ultrasound tomorrow. You'll be homicidal."

Before rolling her eyes at him, Mac smiles for his mother's benefit; aware that the woman is watching and listening with the slightest of smiles on her face as she quietly wanders room to room and inspects their accommodations.

"First, it was four hours and fifty-one minutes." Mac corrects him with absolute certainty. And second, I'm not boycotting anything. Airplane food just leaves a lot to be desired. Lastly, It's after midnight here, Harm. We can stop at Beltway Burger tomorrow, or on Sunday before we leave. I'm going to text Harriet and let her know we're here. Then, I'm going to call Frank and check on Laura. After that, I'll call room service. Trish says they serve until 0200."

Retrieving her garment bag and small suitcase from the luggage trolley, Trish interrupts momentarily. "You text Harriet, darling. I'll call Frank… from the smaller of the two bedrooms. I hope Laura's not still awake, she has school tomorrow… or is it later today?" She questions; momentarily at odds with the time difference.

Mac answers easily without the least bit of uncertainty. "If she were here in DC, it would be later today. In San Diego, it will still be tomorrow. She might still be awake but, if she is, I hope she's winding down for the night. If she is awake, put me on when you done; and it's not necessary for you to take the smaller room. You can have the larger room. This place is beyond extravagant when compared to… Well, when compared to any place Harm and I usually stay." Her eyes glow warmly, and she chuckles quietly as she calls forth the memory of someplace that was an utterly dismal contrast to their current location. "Harm, do you remember that rat hole in Russia?"

Harm groans but flashes his grin. "Do I ever. I'm still trying to work the kinks out of my back after sleeping in that chair. He points to his wife as he begins relocating their luggage without waiting for his mother to object when he does, indeed, take the smaller of the two bedrooms that the suite offers. Talking as he goes; he calls over his shoulder. "But what I remember most is you telling off the desk clerk in Russian - and that white negligee." He interjects, before continuing with his original thought process. "I still have no idea what you said to the poor girl."

Mac smiles mysteriously in response to Trish's raised eyebrow as the woman moves from one of the bedroom doorways to the other, but since she is listening, Mac reserves any verbal comment strictly for Harm. "Yes well, I wasn't expecting company for the evening. Had I been, I might have chosen something for bed that was a little less flattering, and as for that desk clerk, when she realized you were American she took one look at your gold wings and decided I was nothing more than… ahem… your evening entertainment. All I did was set her straight."

As she rummages through her handbag in search of her phone, Harm leans back, poking his head out though the door to their chosen room as he unbuttons his shirt.

"She thought you were… my evening entertainment?" Harm's jaw falls as the meaning of her words becomes clear.

Mac nods idly. "Um hmm… She tried to overcharge you for the room. She told her coworker that if you could afford a woman like me, you could afford two rooms."

"Mac, why didn't you tell me about this when it happened?"

Laughing, she takes in the curious expressions on the faces of both mother and son. "So you could do what? Defend my honor? Totally unnecessary. That Russian tart was not the first person to ever mistake me for a tramp. As catty as she was, she was a whole lot kinder than Joe ever thought about being. Besides, she was just jealous."

He chuckles, shaking his head. "Jealous, huh?"

Phone in hand, Mac steps toward him, smiling, as Trish seizes the moment to quietly and politely excuse herself; stepping into her newly appointed room so that she might make her own call.

"Uh huh." Mac answers. "I've seen lots of women have that reaction because they misunderstood our relationship. Let's text Harriet. If she's asleep, it won't be enough to wake her. However, it will let her know that we made it in safely the next time she checks her phone."

After she steps through, Harm pushes the door until it is partly closed. Thus, allowing for privacy without seeming uninviting.

In the other bedroom, on her own cell phone, Trish says, "Yes darling, we made it safely here; though I wouldn't exactly call the flight uneventful. Take off was delayed for about 15 minutes. This did not please my son. In addition, he's worried because Mac didn't eat on the flight. I declare, Frank, being alone in their presence - well it's like watching some grand adventure unfold before my eyes. Even in the calm quiet moments of the flight, they were restless with anticipation. For want of anything better to do, they started reminiscing. From the sound of things, I'd say they've both seem enough trouble, enough hair-raising adventure, to last half a dozen lifetimes apiece. I heard snippets of conversation about carrier quals, Okinawa, China, Russia, Bosnia, Afghanistan, not to mention a few other places. I heard about crossing the line ceremonies aboard carriers. About the two of them being on opposite submarines that were apparently at odds with one another; threatening to fire on each other… No Frank, the submarine captains… Not Mac and Harm themselves. They were trying to be discreet, but as near as I could gather, they were trying to talk the captains out of firing on one another. I heard about courtroom battles. In some of them, they were on the same side, but the interesting ones were the ones where they seemed to be on opposing sides. There was something about a drunken goat. And something about an officer who had not one, not two, but three wives. There was something about a JAG marathon where a friendly competition got out of hand between the two of them. I'm not sure which but one of them, maybe both of them, pilfered a Mig-29 at some point. There was mention of anti-personal mines, blown up Humvees, and Mac on TAD assignment, masquerading as someone's pregnant wife… It just went on and on. None of it seemed to frighten them, or even make them uncomfortable. It's all in the past, but Frank, it's like they're gearing up for the next big adventure… And I suppose they are. This is better than watching two kids sneak downstairs late on Christmas Eve."

At the same moment, in their own room, as Mac begins to text Harriett and Bud with her right hand, Harm takes her left in his and adjusts her wedding and engagement rings; turning them around on her finger until they are right side up and properly in place. Although she is busy with her phone, he watches the corners of her mouth turn upward in a slight smile in response to his touch and the emotion that comes with it. She knows, without looking, exactly what he's doing. It's become a habit in the few months they've been married; just one of the quiet ways he chooses to show his affection. If he isn't straightening her rings, it's her collar. Sometimes it's the sash on her robe. it's a necklace, or maybe the simple act of dropping a napkin lightly in her lap at mealtime. He is still a bit reticent with the actual words. He probably always will be. But now that the simple act of touching is no longer something for the two of them to feel awkward about, he never seems to miss the opportunity to do so.

"Maybe we should stop saying things like that." He murmurs softly.

"Things like what?" She asks mildly distracted.

"That it was other people who did not understand our relationship. I'm starting to think, given recent events, that the only two people who didn't understand us… were you and me."

She nods without comment until she is done with her texting, and then she deposits her phone on the nearby dresser before rising on tiptoe and kissing him warmly on the mouth. "You may have a point there, Flyboy." She says in a whisper. She stays with him for a long moment; her arms draped loosely around his neck. For several beats she's content just to hold him, and to be held by him. She waits until they're both ready to let go before announcing, I'm going to see if your mom is on the phone yet. If she's busy talking to Frank, I'm going to order room service while I wait. I'm starving. You want a salad or something… Maybe some pasta?"

"No, it's too late for a heavy meal. Just order a side salad with whatever you get. I'll eat it."

"Who cares if it's late, Harm. I'm not going to be able to sleep anyway. She shakes her head in wonder as, for just a moment, they each revisit the low-current hum of anticipation. She smiles beautifully at him. "Tomorrow morning we'll go have breakfast with our godchildren. Tomorrow afternoon we'll go say hello to the next generation of our family."

06:15 HRS Washington, DC

Tying her pearl gray robe at the waist, Trish slips silently into the suite's tiny kitchenette. Although, shocked to find her where she is, Trish waits patiently for Mac to finish pouring herself a cup coffee. She is pleasantly surprised when the Marine reaches out and hands her the steaming cup of dark roast without acknowledging, either through speech or eye contact, that she is aware of Trish's presence. Mac simply hands over the cup as she continues to peruse the front page of the morning paper and then reaches for another; repeating the process for herself.

"Good morning darling." Trish says quietly; her voice still slightly raspy with sleep. "I know 6 hours of sleep isn't considered a lot, but it should be enough to get by on. Why do I feel as though I've been forced to rise at some unholy hour?"

Mac's eyes flicker away from her paper for only an instant. "It's 03:15 in San Diego. I'm guessing you aren't often up at that hour.

Trish chuckles softly and tilts her head to one side before sipping her hot coffee carefully. "Even jet lag doesn't throw you off your game; I see."

"I've traveled too some pretty far flung corners of this world. No marine worth their salt lets a little insignificant thing like jet lag gum up the works. I'm sorry I woke you."

Trish shakes her head. "You didn't. I woke up because I rolled over and the other side of the bed was cold and empty. I give Frank a hard time about the fact that he kicks all the blankets off the bed, and also because he talks in his sleep, but the truth is, I long ago got used to it. I miss him when he's not there. After I woke, I realized the shower was running. I figured you were in there. I was surprised to find you in here."

Nodding, Mac moves to the small dining table and settles into a chair; tucking one foot beneath her body before she pulls out the only other remaining chair; silently inviting Trish to join her. "Harm usually sleeps on top of all the blankets. Until last summer, I just assumed that was something he chose to do when with me because we weren't a couple. I'm not sure which is worse, having to tug at the blankets because he's lying on top of them, or knowing that if he'd weren't laying on top of them, I would probably have to get up multiple times a night to retrieve my blankets from the floor, because I'm pretty sure he would kick them off the bed too, if he slept under them. If he wants anything at all, it's usually just the top sheet. He stays so hot. It's like sleeping next to a furnace."

It's Trish's turn to nod. "He's always been that way. His grandmother, Sarah, used to fuss at me in her own maternal way. 'Trish Honey, hasn't anyone ever taught you how to swaddle a baby? You're supposed to cover him up. Babies need that. They like it.' She gave pretty good advice most of the time. I usually followed it. But I remember, one day I finally had to tell her, other babies may like it. Harm does not! I don't think she believed in me. At least not until she put him to bed herself a few nights later. Half an hour later she went to check on him. 'Call the doctor.' she said. 'He's kicked off his quilt. It's bunched up at the bottom of the crib. That room is cool, and he's burning up; he's sweating profusely." Trish shakes her head at the memory. "She actually thought he was running a fever. I told her to leave him uncovered and wait 10 minutes and all would be well. When it actually happened that way, she was mystified… Harmon was like that too, but, for him, it must've been a change that occurred in adulthood, or at the very least, after his infancy. She didn't seem to know about it where her son was concerned. Frank's not like that. He gets cold, he just likes the cold… At least when he's asleep. He can't stand to be cold when he's awake." She lifts a hand and yawns discreetly behind it.

"You can go back to bed if you want. Harm and I are both just too excited to sleep anymore. We barely slept as it was. If there's anybody more excited than me about today; it's him. We're going to have breakfast with the Roberts this morning; spend a little time with all of them. We can come back and get you, later, before the appointment."

Thank you darling, but that's not necessary. I'll manage. It'll just take me a little bit longer to get going today. And… If you two were awake most of the night… At least you were quiet because it's news to me. I usually don't sleep well in unfamiliar beds. Usually, the slightest noise will wake me, but last night I was out like a light."

"I'm not surprised. You put in nearly a full day at the gallery - Frank told me - then you picked up Laura, cooked a few meals for the weekend for the two of them, and boarded a cross-country flight."

"True, but didn't you get Laura off to school before working a full day yourself, and then boarding the same flight? You seem to be okay."

Mac shrugs. I got used to running on little sleep a long time ago. It used to be something I had a big problem with. Sleep was literally elusive for me. It's better now. I still don't need much. I guess I got used to it. I have to say though, it's nice to be awake all night because I'm waiting for something good to happen… for a change." She smiles and then nods her head in the direction of the bathroom. "That's my cue." She says, abandoning her newspaper, but not her coffee cup, when they both recognize the sound of the shower shutting off. "Time to go pick out today's attire. By the time I do that, he'll be through in there."

An hour later they pull into the drive at Bud and Harriett's house. All three people get out of the rental car smile at the sight of young A.J. Dressed for school; the blonde eight-year-old boy is trying valiantly to put a basketball through the hoop beside the family's garage. He tosses the ball. Almost makes it, but the ball rebounds off the rim and gets away from him. Catching it, Mac dribbles for a second before shooting from several yards away. When the ball swishes through the net, A.J. turns and looks their direction; noticing them for the first time and offering a bright smile.

"Sweet shot Aunt Mac; three points! I didn't know you could play basketball. Where'd you learn to shoot like that?" He picks up his ball and tries another shot.

"The Marine Corps." Mac answers dryly as she steps forward and attempts to run her fingers through the boy's hair affectionately.

A.J. ducks the attempt, stepping away quickly, but he looks up at her with wide eyes. "I thought the Marine Corps taught you how to shoot guns."

She chuckles. "Yeah, they taught me that too."

"Cool! Hey Uncle Harm. Good morning Miss Trish."

"Hey Champ. You're getting better with that ball." Harm encourages while Trish says with a warm smile, "It's nice to see you again A.J."

Before anything more can be said, the front door opens and without stepping out, or noticing that company has arrived, Jimmy Roberts bellows loudly "A.J. Breakfast!" The screen door slams.

"Okay, just two more shots." A.J. calls out.

The screen door opens again, and his younger brother announces emphatically, "Mom says, now!" The screen door slams again and they all hear Harriett yell loudly from somewhere inside the house, "Don't slam the door… and no running; walk please!"

A.J. grimaces because playtime is over, but he does not complain. He picks up his ball but before he can make his way to the front door, Harm reaches down and scoops the boy up; settling him on one wide shoulder. A.J. giggles and nods enthusiastically as Harm carries him passed the basket one last time. "Slam dunk!" He sings out happily from his lofty perch.

Mac catches the ball again before it can roll down the driveway and tucks it under her arm. As they move up the walk A.J. looks down at her. "Mom said you guys were coming for breakfast. She says you wanna talk to us about something."

Mac raises an eyebrow. "We do?"

"Uh huh, Mom says." He looks around curiously. "Where's Laura? Didn't you bring her with you."

"Laura's in San Diego with Mr. Frank." Mac explains. "She has school today too."

As they cross the front porch Mac leaves the ball in an out of the way a corner. When they enter the house A.J. has to duck to avoid bumping his head, but when he can sit up straight again on his uncle's shoulder, he complains, "You should've brought her with you. Can't she miss just one day?"

Patting the boy's knee Harm explains, "Aunt Mac only has temporary custody of Laura right now. That means she can't leave the state with Laura unless a judge says it's okay. There wasn't time to go to court to ask permission. If we had brought Laura to D. C. to visit with you, technically, legally, Aunt Mac would be guilty of kidnapping. That would land her in jail… and that would be no good. I would miss her."

A.J. looks to his godmother for confirmation, and when she nods in agreement with her husband, A.J. declares, "Uh uh! No good!" Before anyone can say anything else, he yells happily, "Mom, Dad, they're here!"

Bud greets them in the front hallway, smiling up at his son as he pats Harm on the back and offers Mac a quick hug. "Morning Ma'am." He says to Trish "Welcome, it's a lively house, but breakfast will be on the table very shortly, and then things will quiet down… at least for a few minutes." He laughs as Jenny bumps into him and nearly topples over on her way to throw her arms around Mac's legs in greeting.

Mac scoops the toddler up, hugs her, and settles her on a hip as Bud says, "Come on back."

They find Harriett in the house's formal dining room rolling up her youngest son's shirt sleeves so that they don't end up in the plate of fruit young Nicky is already eating. "Hi." She says happily. "Somebody started without you. I hope that's okay." She bustles about putting the finishing touches on the table setting as everyone nods and comments agreeably.

"Harriett what can we do to help?" Mac inquires and Trish concurs by following up with, "Please, put us to work."

Harriett laughs. "You can all sit down. That's what you can do." She surveys the table and the food waiting there. "It's done. All we need are the pancakes from the kitchen. Bud can get those, and the boys have to catch their buses in about 25 minutes so we're a little pressed for time."

Bud dutifully departs, only to return seconds later with said platter of pancakes. They all take a few moments to settle in and help themselves to food before Mac inquires with a hint of uncertainty. "A.J. says there's something we want to talk to them about?"

Harriett picks up her napkin and nods behind it as she swallows a bite of food. We haven't told them yet. We thought it might be best to wait until you guys were here to explain things to them. That way, you get to help answer any questions they have."

"Oh…" Mac says mildly surprised. She looks around the table at the eager faces of her godchildren. "Okay." She smiles at Harm who is seated directly across the table from her, and raises an inquiring eyebrow.

He shrugs. "How hard can it be. We've already explained it to Laura."

"That's why we wanted you here." Bud offers. "Sorry, didn't mean to spring in on you like this, but Laura seems to understand it pretty well. However you guys told her, whatever you said, she's okay with it. We were just sort of hoping you could do it again with a slightly bigger audience."

"Laura's okay with what?" A.J. wants to know.

Mac smiles at the boy. "Uncle Harm and I want to have a baby…"

"We know." Jimmy bites into a piece of bacon and his older brother finishes the thought for him. "Mom and Dad already told us."

The twin toddlers share the only bit of information they are old enough to understand; both of them speaking simultaneously. "We're getting a cousin."

Harm sips his coffee before joining in. "The thing is guys… we're going to need a little help. Your aunt Mac can't carry a baby the way most moms do. So, we've asked, your mom and dad and they are okay with helping us out. Your mom is going to have a baby for us."

A.J. squints. The twins look at each other and shrug; each one's movements and facial expressions nearly a mirror image for the other. Jimmy looks at his mother. "Really? You can do that? Have a baby for somebody else?"

"Turns out, I can, sweetie… with a little help from some really smart doctors."

"Cool beans! If it's okay with you guys, it's okay with me." Jimmy shrugs and downs a big bite of pancakes.

"Well, I'm confused." A.J. announces. "Whose baby is it going to be; ours or theirs?"

Bud clears his throat. "A.J. Your mom is going to have their baby. This baby belongs to them; biologically, medically and legally."

"So… It's not going to live with us?"

Harriett shakes her head. "No son. After the baby is born, he or she will be going home with Aunt Mac and Uncle Harm. It's their baby. This baby will live with them and they will take care of it, and love it, the same as Dad and I take care of, and love, you and your brothers and sister."

The young boy seems to breathe a sigh of relief. "Okay then. I'm good. As long as I don't have to share my room with two people!"

Jimmy makes a face and sticks his tongue out at his older brother. "Yeah well, I don't like sharing a room with you either."

A.J. kicks him underneath the table, and Harriett scolds them. "Boys stop that! We don't behave this way in front of company, and A.J. that's mean of you. I hope, someday, when your cousin comes to visit, you'll be nicer."

"Aww Mom! I'm not trying to be mean. There are just too many people in this house already. We don't need another baby. Long as it doesn't live here, I don't care. They can come visit. I'll share. I just don't want another brother or sister."

Harriett nods. "Well, we found out last week; I am going to have a baby, but this baby won't be a brother or sister. He or she will just be a very, very special cousin who I hope comes to visit very often."

A.J. plays with his fork while he thinks something over. After a very long and very heavy pause, he asks, "So… The doctors really put their baby inside you?"

Harriett smiles and nods. "Yes, they really did."

"Did it hurt?"

Harriet shakes her head. "Nope. It felt a little strange maybe; but in a good way. Your dad was with me. So were Aunt Mac and Uncle Harm, and they are here today because we're going to see my doctor so he can do an ultrasound."

A.J. nods. "Okay, I know what that is. They're gonna take a picture of the baby. I remember when you had pictures of the twins… That was kinda cool. They looked like little tiny people shaped blobs."

Trish goes motionless and raises a curious eyebrow, her fork halfway between her plate and her mouth. "Little tiny people shaped blobs?"

A.J. nods eagerly. "Ain't ya never seen an ultrasound picture before?"

Harriett covers her face with her napkin in mild embarrassment. Laughing, she questions "Son, couldn't you phrase that a bit more properly."

"Sorry, but gosh Mom, I thought everybody knew about ultrasound pictures."

Trish chuckles quietly. "That's alright A.J. I know what they are. I've heard of them. I've just never actually seen one. They didn't do ultrasounds when your uncle was born. Today will be my first time to see such a thing."

A.J. grins and says earnestly. "They really do look like blobs; at least my brother and sister did."

13:25 HRS Washington, DC

Dr. Charles Peltier is a man with a wide friendly smile and a face younger than his lion's mane of thick white hair would imply. Clad in the usual white coat and stethoscope, he steps out of a small exam room and motions for the four people waiting in the hallway to enter. Bud, Harm, Mac and Trish all wear expectant expressions as they walk single-file into the room.

Once inside, they find themselves cramped for space. There is little more than standing room in this space that is no bigger than a walk-in closet, but it is like every other exam cubicle they've never seen; two-tone linoleum flooring, walls painted in muted colors, exam table at an odd angle, stainless steel sink, countertop with jars of cotton swabs and tongue depressors resting on it, cheap mini blinds over one small window, out of date magazine stuck in a plastic pocket on the wall, various colorful posters alerting you to one condition or another, rolling metal stool for a medical professional to sit upon, and the one lonely uncomfortable chair that's always in someone's way no matter where they put it. The place smells the same too; like antiseptic, floor polish, hand sanitizer, and perspiration.

"How is she? Mac inquires straight away, giving Harriett a warm smile as Bud takes his wife's hand in his.

The doctor's blue eyes twinkle merrily when he answers, "If she were any better, it would be disgusting."

Sidestepping around Harm and the waiting ultrasound machine, Mac steps up to the exam table and takes the hand that Bud isn't holding.

"It's weird." Harriett declares with her usual sunny smile. "By this point in the pregnancy, all of my kids made me sick, tired, achy, and grouchy. This one… If Dr. Peltier wasn't telling me differently, I'd swear this one hadn't taken up residency." She looks pointedly at Harm and squeezes Mac's hand. "I think you guys may be in trouble. I have a feeling, this little one is saving all of his or her energy for Mom and Dad."

Mac chuckles quietly. "I don't want to worry you Harriett, but it's probably just the calm before the storm. This kid has both his and my genes." She points to Harm. "Something tells me…" She drops her voice to a whisper and sings. "He's going to be a handful."

The doctor smiles and Trish nods in silent assurance.

From her place on the exam table, Harriett laughs and rolls her eyes. "Oh, I'm not worried. Life with the two of you for friends has never been boring. I don't expect your baby to be either… And what do you mean, 'he?' It's way too soon to know."

Mac smiles mysteriously and quickly adds, "or she." While Harm shakes his head.

"She already knows he's going to be a boy." He tells Harriett, as well as everyone else in the room, with a loud whisper, "She just doesn't want to trust herself."

Mac reaches over and pokes him hard against the shoulder. "I just don't want you to be disappointed if someone else arrives."

Harm leans, back resting comfortably against the counter, he crosses his ankles and folds his arms over his chest. Looking meaningfully at his wife, he shakes his head again. "Will 'you' stop worrying? That's not even going to be possible. I don't care who arrives… I'll be thrilled." He winks at Harriett. "I'm already thrilled."

Being the only person in the room not already familiar with their normal banter, the doctor looks on quietly and curiously for a moment before interrupting. "This is only my third surrogate pregnancy. I'm very familiar with the process, but most of my patients carry and deliver their own children. I'm still getting used to having this many people in for an ultrasound. Usually, it's just Mom and maybe one other person. Gotta say, I like the contrast! Now we have a devoted aunt and uncle, Mom, Dad, and…" he raises an eyebrow for Trish's benefit.

She smiles serenely. "I'm Grandma."

Peltier nods. "And Grandma's here too. I like to see babies with healthy welcoming committees." He pauses to look at the faces of each of his guests. "And it's usually a pretty good sign when the baby is the calmest person in the room. Enjoy it while it lasts." He steps toward his patient and the waiting ultrasound machine. "Who wants to have a look?"

He chuckles quietly when every person in the room answers simultaneously "Me!"

While he retrieves his handy metal stool, sits, adjusts the height of his mobile perch, and begins to ready the ultrasound; Harriett unbuttons the lower portion of her blouse, and then winces slightly at the cold temperature of the gel he applies to her exposed abdomen.

"I know. It's cold. Sorry about that." He smiles at his patient.

She waves the comment aside. "You'd think I'd be used to it by now."

"Yeah, we've done this a few times." Bud says with a friendly smile. "Well… Not the surrogacy part… but you delivered our twins. They have two older brothers at home."

The doctor nods without making eye contact as he moves the imaging wand gently over Harriett's belly. staring at the screen, he says, "Yes, I'm aware. How are A.J. and Jimmy getting on? Do they know about this yet, and if so, what do they think?"

"Harriett flashes a happy but exasperated smile. "They are all fine; healthy children. Human whirlwinds. The twins are too young to understand, but they pick up on everyone else's excitement, so they're excited too. Jimmy's happy as long as we're happy. And A.J.… A.J. wasn't thrilled at first, but I think he'll be okay now."

While she talks, the doctor moves his wand, searching, and mutters quietly to himself, "Come on little one, where are you hiding."

As Mac finishes Harriett's thought aloud she, and everyone else in the room, step closer, crowding in for a better view. "A.J. is fine. He just wanted to make sure he wasn't getting a new brother or sister. According to him, there are already too many people in his house…"

"And our godson does not want to share his room with two people." Harm finishes up; sounding a tad uneasy and raising an eyebrow at the doctor's continued search. He stands up straight, no longer leaning on the counter behind him. "Is there a problem?" He moves to place a hand gently on Mac's shoulder and squeezes lightly.

Harriett shakes her head but raises an eyebrow of her own anyway.

The doctor shakes his head as well. "Let's not worry yet. Sometimes they are just a bit camera sh… Yes," He points to the screen. "See, there's our mystery guest. Hello little one. Time to stop playing hide and seek and join the party."

Everyone stares as the grainy black and white image becomes marginally clearer. At first, no one is quite sure what they're looking at but then both Harriett and the doctor begin to point out different things as the onscreen image becomes definable. A life that is still, very nearly, microscopic reveals itself inside her womb.

"See, right now the baby's head is almost bigger than its body." Harriet points and smiles happily while the doctor uses his index finger to draw an outline around what they all should be looking at on screen.

"She's right. But then, she's seen a few of these. And Baby looks good too. Normal length for being right at nine weeks; about 24 mm in length to be more specific. I see some stubby little limbs starting to form. If you look close, you can see the very beginnings of fingers and toes. Yes, yes… Looks like we have one very healthy baby. I see no cause for worry at this point." The doctor turns away from the screen and smiles first at the expectant parents, and then at his patient. "Good job, Harriett… Mom… Dad."

The marine in the room reaches for the hand on her shoulder, and the naval aviator steps up closer behind her. She leans into him and the embrace he offers. Moving his hand from her shoulder, he folds her into his arms. He's too mesmerized for words. She doesn't make a sound, but he feels the invisible tremor of emotion that dances through her shoulders. She looks down curiously when another arm finds its way around both of them, and although she returns her eyes quickly to the onscreen image, she smiles and pats Trish's hand softly.

Bud and Harriett hug while they observe with patient smiles, happy to let their friends have their moment. They remain quiet for several long minutes, all of them still gazing in wonder at the image of an unborn child still within its first trimester of life, until the instant when Harriet can no longer stand the silence. "Oh, for Heaven's sake!" She whispers impatiently. "Somebody say something!"

Chuckling softly, Bud looks a little misty eyed when he whispers, "Honey, hush!"

Glancing at them with motherly concern, Trish senses that the new parents in the room may need a moment longer. Hoping to give them that time, she slips passed them and almost touches the screen. As she points, she addresses her question to the doctor. "This fuzzy area here; it looks like a tiny black hole, and it's flickering. What is that?"

The doctor grins and his ocean-colored eyes begin to sparkle with pleasure. "Ma'am, that would be your grandchild's heart, and it appears fuzzy because, it's not so much flickering, as it is… beating."

"Oh my… Well, that's just…" Speechless once again, Trish's right hand comes to rest over her own heart.

She inhales deeply and her eyes open wide as she first, attempts not to cry but then, when she catches sight of the tears slipping quietly from both her son's and her daughter-in-law's eyes, she surrenders a few of her own.

Finally spurred into motion by the sight of the emotion in his mother's eyes, Harm gently turns his wife in his arms, rubs her back, and lifts her chin for a sweet kiss. Holding her hand for as long as he is within reach, he hugs his mother fiercely and then let's go of Mac only long enough to trot over and wrap Harriett in an equally fierce and warm embrace. While he kisses the top the blonde's head, Mac approaches from the other side and throws her arms around the woman's neck as Bud gently thumps Harm on the back with male affection and camaraderie.

Squeaking with happiness, Harriett questions, "Have you two found your voices yet?"

In quiet response, Harm hugs her again and kisses her cheek as an awestruck Mac points at the image of her baby and quietly asks the doctor, "Can I just stand right here for the next seven months and stare at that?"

The doctor chuckles softly and shakes his head before saying tenderly "I'm sorry. No, I can't let you do that. However, I can print a few copies of the image for you to take home with you. And when we reach the last trimester, you can come back for a second viewing. We normally give expectant mothers… I'm sorry, forgive me, in this instance, I should have said patients… detailed progress reports of the child's growth along the way. Harriett will receive this information because she needs it in order to do her part to make certain that both she and the baby remain healthy, but you two are the parents. I'd be more than happy to send you and Captain Rabb copies of those same reports. I understand you traveled quite a long way to be here. I, therefore, assume you won't be able to attend every appointment. If you can supply my nurse with an e-mail address, I'll do what I can to ease the separation."

Mac frowns and bites her lower lip but nods agreeably. Harm returns to her and wraps his arms around her once more. With his chin resting on top of her head, he breathes. "Laura would commit mutiny if I left you here for the next seven months. I'd have to walk the plank!"

Mac's laughter is musical, and she pats his shoulder affectionately before turning in his arms to face the doctor once again. "Okay, we have to go home, but we'll make sure your nurse gets that e-mail address for Harriett's file.

Still at his wife's side, Bud queries in a tone that implies he already knows the answer, "Trish, how was that for a first experience with an ultrasound?"

The smile she gives him is glorious. "You tell A.J. I said, that's the most precious little baby blob I've ever laid eyes on."

Harm throws back his head and laughs freely. Keeping one arm around his wife, he reaches for his mother with the other.

Harriett giggles. "You all are invited to dinner tomorrow night. You can come tell him yourself."