Chapter 35

"So when's the wedding?" Sturgis asked the next morning. He, Bud, Harriet, Jen and a few others had gathered around Mac to offer their congratulations and, in the women's case, to admire the ring she was more than happy to display.

Mac flashed the commander a surprised look. "He only asked me last night, Sturgis. We haven't exactly had time to set a date." Sturgis raised a challenging eyebrow, and Mac relented. "But... we talked about maybe a Christmas wedding."

"That doesn't give you much time to plan, ma'am," Jen said.

Mac shrugged. "We want to keep things simple."

"Where is Harm, anyway?" Sturgis glanced around the bullpen.

"Running late, as always," She answered with a grin. She hadn't been able to resist calling him before she headed for work, only to wake him. She was looking forward to the days of doing so with a kiss rather than a telephone call. They had agreed not to mess with success, and Mac had been somewhat bemused to realize she was going to have herself an honest-to-goodness white wedding. The idea was strangely appealing—it smacked of the fairytale ending she had always dreamed of, but never really believed could happen to her. However, the decision had, in turn, prompted their desire to make the nuptials happen post haste. Waiting was going to get old in a big hurry.

"Is this JAG Ops or the Rotary Club?" Admiral Chegwidden's sharp voice cut through the noise in the bullpen. He walked toward the cluster of people surrounding Mac, a scowl darkening his features.

Instinctively, Mac snatched her hands behind her back like an errant schoolgirl.

"Is there something I should know, Colonel?" The Admiral pinned her with a stern stare.

Mac straightened resolutely, letting her hands fall to her sides. "Yes, sir. Commander Rabb asked me to marry him." She kept her bearing professional with an effort.

The Admiral stared at her in surprise, a delighted smile softening his features for a moment before he buried the expression. "Am I to infer from this that you agreed to the commander's proposal?"

Mac gave up trying to hide her grin. "Yes, sir."

"Well then, congratulations to you both." He glanced around the bullpen, taking note of Harm's absence. "When Mr. Rabb arrives, why don't you two put yourselves on my schedule and we'll talk about where to go from here."

"Yes, sir," Mac answered again, this time with a little less enthusiasm. She knew it had to be this way, but she would still be sad to see their days together at JAG come to an end.

#

Later that afternoon, she and Harm sat in their usual places in front of Chegwidden's broad desk, waiting for him to speak.

He pulled off his reading glasses after a moment and regarded them. "Commander, Colonel... I'm sure this subject is one we've all thought about to some degree or other, so before I tell you what possible courses of action I see, why don't the two of you tell me what you're thinking." He laced his fingers together on the desktop.

With a quick glance in Mac's direction, Harm took the initiative. "We're open to pretty much anything, sir," he began. "Particularly given the short notice."

The Admiral raised his eyebrows. "I'd heard a Christmas date being tossed around."

"Well, December, anyway," Mac put in.

"Two months doesn't give me much time to work something out." His gaze shifted to Harm and Mac's stomach tightened. "However, I do have one concrete possibility to lay on the table right now, which will probably require some time for consideration."

"What's that, sir?" Harm asked.

"Captain Johnson on the Seahawk is losing his XO at the end of this cruise. He called me a couple of weeks ago to see if there might be any way to circumvent the normal channels to get you named for the position, Commander. I've done some checking and called in a few favors, and I believe we could make it happen."

Mac watched as her fiancée's eyes widened. "Me, sir? A carrier XO?" His gaze unfocused briefly. "I've never commanded anything larger than a flight of four."

The Admiral shrugged. "I don't think anyone would question your command ability, Harm, despite lack of experience." He sat back in his chair. "I realize this would be something of a hard right turn in your career path, but you would have plenty of opportunities for advancement." Unspoken was the fact that it was exactly the kind of position Harm could have ended up in had his ramp strike never happened.

It also meant he would spent at least six months out of every two years at sea. Mac wasn't entirely sure how she felt about that.

Chegwidden went on without giving them much time for reaction. "There's also the possibility of a Pentagon appointment for either of you." Once again his gaze fastened on Harm. "Or, I could inquire about finding you a full-time slot at Pax River, Commander, if you're interested."

After a moment, Harm shook his head. "There's not much of a future in flight test operations, sir."

"You'd get to fly more."

Harm shrugged, his gaze clear. "I fly enough now, sir."

Mac silently clasped her hands together in her lap. The reaction was the most powerful statement she'd ever seen of just how much Harm loved her.

A grudging smile of approval lit the Admiral's features. "All right."

"Sir?" Mac spoke up before the conversation could head in a new direction.

Chegwidden turned to her. "Yes, Colonel?"

"Is it possible that I might take a position in the judicial service?"

Harm gave her a surprised look. "You want to be a judge, Mac? I suppose, technically, it would work to put us in separate chains of command but it would still be complicated with me trying cases and you sitting on the bench."

Mac turned to face him. "I wasn't really thinking of it in that context. No matter what, I think the bench might be a good choice for me... us. I don't think it would be fair to try to raise children with you out on a carrier six months at a time and me bouncing across the globe as a JAG."

Expressions flitted across Harm's face. "You're assuming I'm going to take Captain Johnson up on his offer." She wasn't sure if the tone in his voice was defensive or just surprised.

Mac took a deep breath and locked gazes with him. "I think I'm going to recommend that you take it. It's a incredible opportunity, Harm, and it won't come around again."

He slowly shook his head. "I'm not sure I want sea duty, especially now." His blue eyes were solemn. "Nor am I sure I'd want to give up practicing law."

"Who said anything about giving up law? A command position would almost guarantee you'd eventually rotate back here as JAG."

He was silent for a long moment, and she knew she'd made her point. "What about you, Mac? Your career is just as important as mine," he finally countered.

She smiled softly. "I love my job and I love being a Marine, but I'm also aware that I may decide I love being married and raising kids more. I don't want to prioritize my career too much when I'm not certain how important it's going to be to me a few years from now."

Harm's startled expression was priceless and she had to laugh. "Don't worry, I'm not going all domestic on you."

"I'm glad." He winked, his high-wattage smile appearing like magic.

"Ahem." The Admiral cleared his throat, interrupting the banter before it could escalate. "Colonel, I'll consider your request. If the Commander ends up on the Seahawk, I imagine you'll want a transfer down to Norfolk, which I can most certainly arrange. Otherwise, since I'd hate to lose you as Chief of Staff, I may see if I can work things here to keep you from having to travel much. I can see how that would be necessary if you intend to start a family."

"Thank you, sir," Mac told him sincerely. "I'd love to stay if it can be arranged."

The Admiral looked them both over impartially. "Take some time to talk it over, and let me know what you want to do. I'll let you know of any other opportunities that cross my desk in the near future."

Recognizing an imminent dismissal, both officers rose.

"We will, sir," Harm said. "And, Admiral... thank you. It has been an honor to serve under your command."

Mac could only nod in agreement.

Chegwidden paused, his expression softening. "I think the honor has been mine, Commander, Colonel. I could not have asked to serve with finer officers, and I wish you both all the happiness in the world."

Mac swallowed hard against the lump in her throat. Undiluted praise from this man was rare. "Thank you, sir."

"You will let me know what we can do to help with the wedding preparations?"

"Of course, sir," Harm assured him.

The Admiral picked up his reading glasses, ending the personal moment. "Very good. Keep me apprised."

#

Harm drew a deep, bracing breath and picked up the phone. He wasn't looking forward to this call, no matter how necessary—and no matter how much good he hoped would eventually come from it. He dialed his mother's number by heart and waited quietly while the phone rang on the other end.

His mother picked up on the fourth ring.

"Hi, Mom."

"Harm! It's good to hear your voice. How are the wedding plans coming, dear?"

Harm chuckled despite himself. Since giving his parents the good news that had been her first question every time they talked.

"Fine, as far as I know, Mom."

"As far as you know?"

He had to smile. "Yeah. Mac, Harriet and Chloe have the preparations well in hand. I've retained veto power, but that's about it."

"Have you used it?" His mother sounded both delighted and curious. It struck Harm that he hadn't heard her sounding so happy in a long time.

"Oh, a few times," he answered. "Mac wanted the bridesmaids' dresses to be green."

"What's wrong with green? It sounds lovely for a December wedding."

"Well, if it had been anything close to pine tree colored, sure. But Mac's a Marine, remember? She can't get away from olive-drab to save her life."

"Harm!"

He laughed. "I swear, Mom. Even Harriet thought it was awful." Of course, he was pretty certain Mac had been messing with them, but that only made it more amusing.

"So what color did you all end up agreeing on?" his mother asked when her laughter had faded.

"Red."

"Oh, that will be beautiful. I can't wait to see it."

Harm had to admit he felt the same, and it surprised him sometimes. He kept waiting for the fear to hit. He was getting married. He ought to be scared witless, but instead was filled with a kind of giddy exultation that left no room for doubt.

His mother laughed brightly. "Harm, you know I can't begin to tell you how happy I am for you. Is there anything we can do to help?"

Harm sobered abruptly, his gut clenching. "Actually, Mom... there is."

"Name it, dear."

"Don't be so quick to agree," he cautioned her. "It's a pretty big request." He toyed uncomfortably with a magazine lying on his coffee table as he talked. "You can consider it a wedding present, if you want."

There was a pause and her voice became wary. "All right, Harm. I'm listening."

Harm braced himself. "As you know, Thanksgiving is a couple of weeks away. Mac and I are planning to make a family event of it and do the whole turkey dinner thing here at my place. Sergei and Audrey are both going to be here and..." He took a deep breath. "I'd like you and Frank to come, too."

When she didn't say anything, he went on. "The truth is that my whole family has never been in a room together, and I really don't want my wedding to be the first time that happens." He stared at his shoes. "I know it's going to be hard—for everyone—but..."

"But it would be horribly unfair to do that to you and Mac on your wedding day," his mother finished for him, her voice firm. "You're right, dear." She heaved a sigh. "I—I'll talk to Frank."

Harm closed his eyes, relieved. "Thanks, Mom. That means a lot to me."

"You're welcome, dear." He could literally hear her push the topic aside. "So, tell me more about the wedding?"

Settling himself more comfortably on the couch, Harm did so. He knew better than to push her. The fact that she had agreed to talk to Frank about it meant they would probably come. It was as much as he could hope for.