Chapter 37
Bud and Harriet's house
Lakeview Road
West Norwood
London, UK
0604 local
I know it's ridiculous but I just can't sleep. I would have never thought I'd spent my last night as an unmarried man on the sofa of my best friend but here I am, tossing and turning from one side to another. In five more hours I will finally get to see Mac and the thought does make me nervous… though I would never admit that out loud.
Giving up on sleep I pad over to the kitchen and start on breakfast for the guys. I'm pretty sure I won't be able to eat anything. Searching the cupboards I find some bowls and a peek into the fridge provides me with eggs. Now I only need to find some flour and we can have pancakes, after all it's not like we are in a hurry or anything.
I could call Mac at home, Bud surely won't have plugged out their own phone, right? But something tells me Harriet is guarding the phone at home as well as her cell, which makes it pointless. After all Bud made sure he had my cell last night, mumbling something about Harriet's orders about the groom not seeing or talking to his bride the night before the wedding. I think its nonsense but Harriet loves this kind of stuff.
I'm preparing the pancake dough when I realize there is nobody up who would want to eat them, yet. It's way too early, and the other's alarm won't go off for another hour and a half at least. I could go for a run I suppose, but I don't have my jogging kit with me and with my luck I'll end up at the emergency room with a sprained ankle or something.
In the end I pick up one of Bud's Star Trek comic books and start flipping through the pages, though I couldn't remember the story if my life depended on it. The time goes by though and that's all that counts this morning. Even though I'm supposedly reading, my eyes keep darting to the phone, resting on its spot like it doesn't have a care in the world. Ok, that is ridiculous, of course it doesn't have a care in the world, it is a phone after all.
"Sir, what are you doing already up?" I tense up when Bud approaches me, still scratching his head and rubbing his eyes. I grimace guiltily when I realize he has spotted the prepared breakfast table and the waiting pancake dough.
His mouth opens as if to say one of his patented "Ah!'s" but no sound comes out. He turns towards me again and sits down on the sofa next to me. "Don't worry, sir. Everything will go fine, you'll see." I'm not worried about things not going well at the ceremony; I'm more concerned about fainting or anything at the moment.
"We'll get you through this, sir." He obviously can't help the little smirk that makes his way onto his face. "Something funny, Bud?" I almost grin at the fact that he sobers up so quickly. Bud's a good man, better than me by all means, he just doesn't know it. "No, sir." I grin anyway and pat his back.
We both stare at their coffee table for a while. It's a nice coffee table I think. Fits in well with the rest of the furniture as far as coffee tables go. After a while though Bud starts snickering in earnest and my head swirls around, a frown probably firmly planted on my features.
"You remember the day of my wedding, sir? I was a nervous wreck all day, especially after we'd been arrested. You even had to do the buttons of my uniform." He laughs at that… I don't find it the least bit funny. Damn it, I'm an aviator. I'm not supposed to get all nervous and jittery over this.
"It's going to be alright, sir. Why don't I put on some jeans and we can take a short walk? Fresh air will do you a world of good." Bud doesn't wait for my reply before getting up and walking upstairs to get dressed.
A half hour later we re-enter the house and even though I'm a bit calmer now than earlier, I can still feel the adrenaline go through my body on high speed. "I'll finish breakfast, Bud." Walking into the kitchen I only see him nod from the corner of my eye and walk upstairs, probably to wake Mikey.
After breakfast each of us takes a shower and a shave. I stare at myself in the mirror as I slowly put on my uniform and straighten the shoulder boards and the medals on my chest. I'm kinda at a disadvantage here. Mac knows exactly what I look like in my Dress whites, but I can hardly wait to see her dress. I know she will look beautiful, but still there's an anticipation there that makes me nuts. God, what would I give for a cigar now!
St Bartholomew-the-great
6 Kinghorn St.
City of London, UK
1023 local
"Harriet!" I jump over to her and try to still her hands. "Easy, ma'am, you'll rip it if you don't stop that!" Why do I suddenly feel like I talk to my baby son instead of a fully grown former Marine Lieutenant Colonel? "I should have never gotten such a complicated dress!" She hisses through bits of ranting that I would never repeat to either of my children.
"Ma'am, you look great." I silently add that the dress is not at all complicated. In fact the one I wore at my own wedding was a lot more intricate than hers, with the veil and all that stuff. This wedding dress is a dream come true and yet very simple, but I can't tell her that without risking my health. I've long since learned that a nervous Mac is to be handled very carefully. Besides that it is kind of funny, really. When I was getting married she had to convince me that I really wanted to do it, even though in my heart I knew marrying Bud was all I wanted, despite our disagreement.
"You think they'll be here on time?" She keeps glancing towards the clock on the wall and I start hating the person who put that poor clock up there. They should seriously consider the fact that brides are nervous while getting ready and that a reminder of how fast or slow the time passes to their wedding vows is really NOT what a maid of honor needs.
"I'm sure they are going to be right on time. Bud is never late!" Except when he wants to go out with his girlfriend for the first time but she doesn't need to hear that right now.
As if answering my prayers, there's a knock at the door and I'm grateful for anyone who would give me a break by now. I sigh in relief when I see Bud standing before me, all handsome in his dress uniform and the brightly polished sword dangling smoothly on his hip.
"Hey sweetie, just wanted to let you know we're all set." I want to kiss him. "Thank you Bud, we're almost ready, just a few finishing touches left." He smiles at that and looks over his shoulder to the altar where I see Harm waiting and talking to Chaplain Turner.
I want to ask Bud if Harm is doing alright, but Mac appears behind me and starts rambling. "Bud, thank god you're here. Do you have the rings?" Bud smiles calmly and dutifully extracts the little box that contains their wedding bands. She seems to calm down, but only momentarily. "Did you get here ok?" I have to hold in a snort, knowing what she really wants to know is whether Harm is ok or not. "Everything is fine ma'am."
I turn her around and move her back towards the dresser so she can put the finishing touches to her make up. I walk back towards the door and ask Bud to sent Chloe in here, maybe she can calm her down a bit. "And Bud?" he turns around. "Make sure to keep him out of trouble." I whisper and we both know whom I'm talking about. "Love you, sweetie. If I have to show them the rings one more time I will throw them into a trashcan!"
I chuckle at him. "We just have to survive the next thirty minutes, that's all." He groans but pecks my lips anyway and walks back over to Harm. I guess he is glad once he spots the Admiral, Sturgis and Mattie, recruiting the latter instantly to 'Harm-duty', while I turn back to my anxious Marine.
St Bartholomew-the-great
6 Kinghorn St.
City of London, UK
1102 local
I nod towards Rabb and Roberts. If I didn't know better, Rabb would look all cool and controlled up there at that altar. Only those who know him well would recognize the slight tremor in his hands which he tries to keep occupied and the constant subtle attempt to catch a glimpse of his watch.
I straighten my own Dress Whites and thank God for tailors. Who would've thought that a year away from the Navy would get me that fat? Then again no more meetings with SECNAV, or watching my people pull stunts has really done a world of good for my blood pressure and appetite. I make a mental note to pick up my old jogging habit again.
I nod to Chaplain Turner and we silently agree that it's time for the ceremony to begin. I gently knock on the door of the bridal chamber and Harriet opens the door to reveal a beautifully dressed Mac. Her burgundy bridal dress flows all the way to the floor without being too flowery or complicated. It fits her well… simple but beautiful, like the bride herself. No scratch that. She isn't only beautiful, she's breathtaking, even to me and I'm not the lucky groom.
"May, I madam?" She gives me a nervous smile and I present her with the bridal bouquet Harm had made for her. He either has great taste in flowers, or he knew before what she'd wear. The small champagne colored roses are embedded with that green stuff florists are always so fond of. But I really got to admit, it's a beautiful bouquet for a beautiful bride. In fact, it's perfectly fitting for the two considering they met at the White House rose garden all these years ago.
Harriet, Turner's girlfriend and Chloe get into position in front of us and start walking up the aisle and at the nod of the Chaplain a piano starts playing some tune by Bach. I love the fact that Sturgis' father will perform the ceremony. It really has a meaning to the people from JAG in Washington.
Once the bridesmaids have taken up their position to the left side of the altar, everyone gets up from their respective seats and turns around expectantly. "Ready?" I ask Mac gently and she only squeezes my arm hard. "Let's do this, sir." I nod at her and make a gesture to the church assistant that we're ready.
The music starts to play in earnest now and slowly we make our way around the corner into the aisle of the church. "You know I never thought I'd get to do this." I murmur under my breath. I get another slight squeeze on my arm and she mumbles "One should never say never, AJ." I try not to frown, though her words don't really make sense to me.
I've been waiting for the look on Harm's face ever since Mac asked me to give her away. He obviously didn't know it, but he doesn't seem angered. He looks more like he is pleasantly surprised. But that may have more to do with the beautiful woman next to me; I have to admit that much.
Harm's eyes seem to travel all over her, then rest on her face and a tender smile appears on his features. I'll never understand why it took them so long, especially since I've seen that look on his face for years now. There's that almost innocent wonder, mixed with obvious admiration and unwavering respect.
At the altar I gently place her hand in Harms and just before I turn around to go back to my seat I can't help but saying "Take good care of the gift you're given!" He nods and gives me a quiet "I will, sir." in return.
I smile to myself when the two of them stand there staring at each other as though they're the only people in the world. That, too, reminds me of that fateful day so long ago. After the chaplain clears his throat to get their attention, they finally turn around to face him, but not before I can see Harm swallowing hard and Mac starting to nibble her lower lip.
"In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit," Chaplain Turner begins the ceremony and I follow his lead and cross myself. "We are gathered here today in the presence of God the almighty and the presence of family and friends, to witness and bless one of life's most treasured moments, and to add our well wishes to Harmon and Sarah in holy matrimony. And may those who cannot attend in person today be in our hearts and minds"
I look from the groomsmen to the bridesmaids and I have to stifle a groan when I spot Harriet already teary eyed to Mac's left. I should have known she starts dabbing her eyes long before Harm's mother or grandmother would.
"God intends the union of man and woman in heart, body and mind for only together can they become whole and find mutual joy for the health and comfort they give one another in prosperity and in adversity."
Turner looks over the gathered crowd and then comes to rest on Harm and Mac again. "Harm and Sarah, we are all given life as individuals when we are born and once we find our mate we must learn how to make a life together. Growing to love one another and meet life together is one of the greatest challenges and goals of marriage. " No kidding. One should have told me that before I said 'yes' to Marcella. I would have thought about that wedding twice.
"The holy Bible teaches us that the message of our Lord is love. Love can overcome all boundaries, obstacles and hard feelings…if we let it." I silently congratulate Turner on the choice of his words. They couldn't have been more fitting. No other couple I know had so many obstacles to overcome than the two up there.
"Harmon and Sarah, as your life goes on, remember always that love has brought you here today and it will be your love for each other that will make sure your union endures." I smile when I see Harm grasping for Mac's hand and the look that passes between them is so full of that love, it reminds me of the fact that nobody looks at me that way and hasn't for a long time.
I sigh and try to follow the ceremony again. "…but also remember, that marriage is not always the fairy tale. Many people believe that love is easy, when it is not. It takes love to get two people together. But it takes hard work to make a prosperous relationship." For a moment he looks sternly at the groom and bride and again I think he couldn't have chosen his words better.
Turner motions for Harm and Mac to sit down on the provided chairs while he walks over to the speaker's place. "Dear family, friends, coworkers" He makes a slight pause as his gaze swaps over the audience. "I want to tell you something about the two people sitting here in front of the altar like I got to know them. And don't worry; I will leave the embarrassing stories for you to share." He looks at Harm and Mac and for a moment there I think both are blushing.
"When I met Harm, he was a brash, young, determined and eager young man, ready to take on the world and impatient to get into a cockpit. That was a long time ago of course. When you, Harm, and Sturgis graduated from Annapolis yours, and with that our, paths separated for quite some time."
The chaplain looks at Sturgis, who has a gentle grin on his face and then back at the groom and bride. "When we met at JAG in Washington a few years back, believe it or not, I met the same determined, brash, cocky and impatient man, though he had grown some and he was sporting Commander's stripes on his sleeves by then. But all in all… he was pretty much the boy I had gotten to know when he was seventeen. And he was still impatient about cockpits." He turns towards Harm again and winks at him. "You hadn't changed a lot over the years, besides getting older and more experienced."
Then his gaze travels to Mac and another gentle smile spreads his features. "That was about the same time I met Sarah MacKenzie, or as her friends call her, Mac. It didn't take long for me to figure out, that the JAG office had not one, but two highly determined, stubborn, eager and very impatient lawyers. And I'm not talking about their Commanding officer." That earns him chuckles from the whole audience and a scowl from me, though I cannot quite keep the smirk off my face.
"I've also heard many stories about you two, Harm and Sarah. When I talked to my son, he would often speak of the unbeatable duo, the fated pair. Lots of people would think that 'fate' and 'destiny' would be appropriate terms to describe your relationship, because why else would you have met in a rose garden? God smiled down on you that day, as he does every day of your life."
Turner straightens a bit more and takes a deep breath once more. "The bible has many stories that can teach us God's ways. The apostle Paul writes in his first letter to the Corinthians, that love protects and preserves. From what I've learned about your relationship, it is a real testament to the truth of Paul's words. Both of you walked through some of the hardest parts of your life and you did it together, one way or another. You let love guide you in your ways and today, finally, it has led you here to this chapel, with your friends and family, to declare your love and your commitment to each other in front of God and everyone you wanted to share this special day with. And I'm proud that you allow me to perform this special ceremony for you." Chaplain Turner's eyes show the same gentleness he always shows, that calm, friendly and yet firm gaze he showed us on the battlefield that Christmas in Vietnam. I admire the man for that and for his unagitated behavior.
And here it comes. After he motions for Harm and Mac to get back up again, he asks the second most important question of the whole ceremony. "And I ask your friends and family, that if any among you can provide a solid reason why Harmon and Sarah should not be lawfully married, come forward now or hold your peace forever!" Chaplain Turner waits the respectful few seconds and I think my ears detect a low "Don't you dare!" from the altar and I hold the chuckle that threatens to make its way out my mouth… barely.
I grin when Harm looks casually over his left shoulder at the people sitting behind them, as if he would like to add his own scare to anyone who would even think of crashing this wedding. Then again, maybe he's just checking for Webb or Brumby or Ms. Peterson or whatever. God, that would really be a frightening thought.
I chuckle at Harm when Chaplain Turner looks sternly at him after that. "Harmon and Sarah, you have accepted the truth about your feelings and you have come here today to show, declare and congeal your commitment that you have always shared somehow. Please join your hands and answer from your heart."
A nervous smile hushes over both faces and at least Harm has to take a couple deep breaths before he nods that he is ready. I shake my head at it. They had years to get ready after all. Though from my own experience I know how enormous the feelings are they're facing right now and no amount of time could prepare for them.
He first turns to Harm and asks him. "Harmon, do you want to take Sarah as your wife? Do you promise to love her and honor her, to cherish and protect her, for richer and poorer, in sickness and health, staying faithful to her and holding to her only forevermore? Then answer with: I do!"
Harm swallows again but the "I do!" sounds firm and sure, not to mention it earns him a beaming smile from Mac.
But the chaplain turns toward her and looks at her expectantly. "Sarah, do you want to take Harmon as your husband? Do you promise to love him and honor him, to cherish and protect him, for richer and poorer, in sickness and health, staying faithful to him and holding to him only forevermore? Then answer with: I do!"
I hold my breath when she locks eyes with Harm's and gives a whispered "I do!", but it doesn't sound any less sure and determined than his had. The smile they share looks very relieved.
"May I have the rings, please?" Turner straightens up a bit more and waves AJ Roberts closer who is given a smile and a nod from Mikey. My namesake seems to take his job very seriously and carefully balances the rings on the small pillow.
Taking the rings from young AJ's pillow, the chaplain blesses them and shows them to the guests. "These wedding bands are an outward and visual sign that signifies the spiritual bond of this man and this woman in marriage. The unbroken cycle represents unbroken love, as it has no beginning or end, no giver or receiver, as each of you are both. May these rings remind you of the vows you are about to take."
Then he again turns to Harm first, asking him to take the ring and put it on his bride's finger. "With this ring, I thee wed in the name of the Father and Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." Harms fingers seem to be a little clumsy getting the ring in place and I feel that grin split my face again. Harm compensates with a slight kiss to Mac's knuckles
Now it's Mac's turn and her hand trembles equally when she reaches for the golden band resting on the little pillow. "With this ring, I thee wed in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."
Their hands stay joined when they bow their heads to pray for God's blessing on their union. "May our Holy Father smile down on you and give you peace." He smiles warmly at the two who humbly look up again to see the chaplains grin widen. I believe the moment has come for him to announce what the two of them so desperately want to hear.
"And now, by the power vested in me by the Holy Father and the United States Navy, I pronounce you man and wife. What God has joined together, let no man put asunder." He is still smiling and makes a slightly impatient but humored gesture at a Harm who looks still mostly dazed. "Son, I believe it's high time you kiss your bride."
To my utter shock, Harmon Rabb junior blushes a deep crimson red once more but he complies and fuses his lips gently onto Mac's. I can pinpoint the exact moment when they forget their audience and slip back into that world that always seemed to exist for them alone for that kiss definitely turns into something else entirely.
After several moments, Chaplain Turner clears his throat again loudly which makes them stop. They look guiltily at the chaplain and I spot Bud just in time to see he has a hard time keeping in his laughter as well.
Everyone gets up to walk outside, so everyone can watch the newlyweds walk outside and through the Arch of Swords.
St Bartholomew-the-great
6 Kinghorn St.
City of London, UK
1151 local
Wow, we really did it. I can't explain the feelings going through me at the moment. Relief? Responsibility? Happiness? Fear? They all flow through me at once and the only thing that keeps me from running is the woman at my side. While our escort gets into position to lead us out I lean in for another kiss.
I always believed that what they said about your first kiss as a husband being special was a joke among guys. It isn't. Kissing my wife feels a hundred times more intense than kissing my fiancée ever was. And it can't even compare to kissing your girlfriend, though Mac never really was my girlfriend, so that doesn't count.
Theoretically I know what to do. Let the guests file out the church and wait until the guys can form the Arch, then walk through and after that get lots of pats and kisses from the guests. It sounds easy. But that's theory. Somehow my right and left part of the brain don't want to cooperate right now.
"I love you, Mac!" We kiss again and since we are mostly alone in the church, I don't care for the kiss to be a bit more heated than the one earlier. Mac's hand goes behind my neck to draw me down while my hands roam over her back and then up toward her cheek.
When I release her we are both slightly out of breath and a bit flushed. "You better keep that thought in mind for later, sailor." God, you bet! If it was for me, we could skip the whole reception thing; though my mother would probably kill me.
"… you need to move it." Merlin's beard, we almost missed our call. The door opens in front of us and Sturgis gives the order for the officers to draw and arch their swords.
"Blades to the wind. May I present for the first time, Captain Harmon and Mrs. Harmon Rabb junior." Mac hooks her arm under mine and together we pass under the upturned swords.
This wouldn't be a full military wedding without the traditional swat for the bride. Sturgis sports a broad grin when she jumps slightly. "Go Navy!" I grin down at her until I feel a similar swat to my own backside. Looking up I find General Cresswell, who's the last man on the right grinning as well. "Welcome to the Corps, Captain!" Yes, of course Mac would find that hilarious. That explains why she grins at me like a Cheshire cat.
I turn around and Cresswell looks at me expectantly while the guests erupt in loud cheers all around us. "Sorry, Captain. I just couldn't resist." He doesn't get out more than that, because suddenly I've got an arm full of my mother, who practically jumps me.
Once she releases me, I wipe the tears away that are falling down her cheeks and hug her close. "Thank you, mom!" I whisper, not trusting my voice right now. "No, thank YOU, Harm. It was a beautiful ceremony." She gives me a teary smile and I dab at her cheeks with my hanky.
St Bartholomew-the-great
6 Kinghorn St.
City of London, UK
1200 local
I patiently watch my wife hug her tall son and then our brand-new daughter-in-law. I know Harm has a father and I will never be able to reach that kind of natural respect he has for Harm senior. But I like to think that Harm and I have grown closer over the last couple years, especially since he found out about the fate of his old man.
Even though I feel the pride of a father today, watching him get married to the girl he's been going on about for almost a decade… I somehow wish Harm senior could be here, too. I'm no masochist who likes to put himself out to get hurt, I haven't felt threatened by his dad in a long time after all. But I still wish he could be here for Harm's sake. It would mean a lot to him… and I know it would mean a world to Trish, too. As it is, it's just one more, big event in the life of the young man I've come to love as if he was my own, that he has to do without his real father.
Waiting until my wife finally releases him, I step closer to Harm to shake hands. "Congratulations, son." I'm a bit startled when he pulls me close for a quick hug as well. I would have never expected this. "Thank you, Frank." I hug him tight for a moment and then turn my attention on his beautiful bride. "Welcome to the family, Sarah."
I hug her, too and she jokes that her friends call her 'Mac'. "Then welcome to the family, Mac." She winks at me and I kiss her on the forehead before I leave the two to the other well-wishers who got into line behind Trish and me.
I always thought military weddings are a huge thing, and the higher the rank of the officer, the bigger the crowd. I'm really pleasantly surprised that's not the case here. Harm and Mac have obviously only invited people that are important to them, though that is already a big enough group of people.
I'm introduced to a few people who have served with either Harm or Mac in the past and meet a few people that work with them at the moment.
Harm and Mac spend the better part of the next hour with well wishers and lots of hugs, while the guests can drink some non-alcoholic champagne or orange juice, before we all head to the reception.
Four Seasons Hotel
46 Westferry Circus
Canary Wharf, London, UK
1641 local
Whew, who would have thought that a wedding is such a marathon? I wonder if that feeling is normal or if I'm the only one infected. The hotel is a dream for a wedding reception. It overlooks the River Thames and the city, and it's tastefully decorated. I'm so glad I could talk Trish out of all the flowers and stuff. The same roses that Harm had made into my bridal bouquet now decorate the tables with a little ivy put in large beverages. I figured that white and green would look nice and elegantly enough for my wedding.
I glance at my new husband and find him looking at me, his head slightly tilted to the side and a dreamy smile on his face. "Have I told you, you look beautiful? I mean not that you usually aren't beautiful, but today you are…just wow!" I smile at him babbling and lean in for a chaste kiss. "And you look as handsome as ever!" I brush over his black and gold shoulder board and wipe away some imaginary dust.
"I'm happy, Harm." Instead of kissing me, he takes my hand in his and holds my gaze. And I start loosing myself in these eyes immediately. I don't know how long we stare at each other like this, but we're interrupted by a throat loudly clearing itself.
Looking around me, I see the Admiral standing over at his place with his glass raised. "Now that we've got everyone's attention, I would like to give a little toast to Harm and Mac." He smiles at both of us and crosses his arms over his chest in that typical impatient way he has about him.
"Normally, this part would be the responsibility of the bride's father, which makes me all the more proud to be entrusted with this important job." For a second I really thought he wanted to mention that my father was dead and my uncle still in Leavenworth. But I guess I should have known better. I grasp Harm's hand under the table again and he gives me this typical smile that tells me all is right with the world.
"Many would think that leading a JAG office is a relatively quiet job with mostly acceptable office hours, no battlefields and no war zones. We don't storm beaches or shoot the enemy... Usually. With Harm and Mac you were never sure." He pauses shortly and there are chuckles all over the room.
"I can't remember how often battlefield lines and war zones went right through the middle of JAG ops though." I have to snort at that and from the looks of it, Harm, too, has some trouble staying focused.
"When I first introduced them, I gave them the advice of not getting too close to each other. Not that they would have listened to that." Chegwidden has this annoyed look about him, but as long as his eyes twinkle like that, he can't fool anybody around here… I think…
"I didn't know what I was getting myself into, when I teamed them up, but I soon saw something unique happen. Within weeks, the two had formed first a careful partnership and in the end a deep friendship. It isn't often that your partner travels after you to the end of the world to keep your six safe." At that he looks at both of us directly and Harm squeezing my hand again, shows me he remembers, too. We both went to the ends of the world for each other.
"And after a while I began to sense something else. The deep friendship had obviously developed into a lot more. Harm and Mac, there were times when you fought so hard, I felt compelled to wear a flag jacket to the office and at other times you were working together like you didn't have a bother in the world. I sometimes lost hope that you would ever find the key to your feelings for one another and I'm glad to see, both of you have finally grown up enough to step up to that plate and accept what many of us have known for years. You have proven time and again, what a formidable team you can be once you put your mind to it. And in all those years, you've never found a match that could really threaten your success." The Admiral pauses again and looks intently at us.
I get the feeling he is conveying so much more meaning in his speech than just our track record in the courtroom. "If I had known it would take a transfer for both of you to opposite sides of this planet… I would have issued those orders years ago. Congratulations! To Harm and Mac!" With that he raises his glass as does everybody else to toast us. I feel a little smile on my lips and nod my acceptance toward him. All things considered… Harm and I took a strange road toward happiness.
Four Seasons Hotel
46 Westferry Circus
Canary Wharf, London, UK
1942 local
I wrap my arms around my wife and hold her close while we sway to the soft music from the band. Earlier we gave our first dance as husband and wife and Mattie got in a great shot of the both of us with my digital camera. It's great to see that she's developing a hobby besides airplanes. The doctors haven't given their final verdict yet, but she needs something else to focus on in case she won't ever be allowed to pilot a plane again. As it is, she cannot even get her legs over Sarah's fuselage.
Mom and Frank are enjoying themselves not far from us, and even the Admiral has some fun dancing. I let my eyes wander around a bit and narrow them as soon as I see my foster daughter dancing a little too close to a boy I don't recognize but who obviously belongs to the party. I nudge Mac and nod towards Mattie and she grins. "Wow, looks like someone is growing up, dad."
I roll my eyes at that and squeeze them a little more. "Mac, she's 15. Should she be doing… that?" I wave about their dancing and my wife just shakes her head slightly. "Harm, relax. They're just dancing!" I can SEE that, thank you very much.
As if on cue the song ends and we make our way over to the sidelines again. I'm feeling thirsty all of a sudden. Accidentally we walk by Mattie and her boy and I can't help quirking an eyebrow, feeling self satisfactory when he takes his arm from around her waist and she starts squirming.
I try to be polite and wait patiently until we are properly introduced. "Uh, Harm, Mac, this is Brian." The insolent young man has at least the decency to extend his hand in greeting. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, sir. My father speaks very highly of you." And that father would be? "I'm sorry sir, I'm Lieutenant Commander Kenton's son, sir." Damn, I knew I shouldn't have allowed for mum to talk me into inviting families instead of just couples. It has the unwanted by-effect that people bring their kids and that in return causes me some serious headache right about now.
I'm just preparing to fire off a couple questions at the young man, when Mac shoves me toward the buffet and bids Brian a good evening. "Mac, what are you doing? We can't just let them get all cozy like that. They are children!" My tone turns into a slight hiss, but who cares?
But Mac rolls her eyes. "Harm, they were just dancing…having fun. They haven't been doing anything inappropriate, so stop fussing. You should be glad she actually does behave like a teenager for once." She gives me that incredulous look she always gets when she thinks I'm overdoing it. But hey, I'm responsible for this kid.
"You have no idea how dangerous boys that age can be, Mac." They are a devious lot, lots of funny ideas in their heads about girls and groping and stuff. Instead of taking me seriously, Mac only snorts at me. "Harm, you should see yourself. And I'm not so sure I want to know how you know about boys being dangerous at 15…" She trails off and hides her huge grin behind a glass of water.
I have no intention to answer the question she really asks here. "For your information, Marine, I read books on teenagers and they all say the same: hormones, hormones and hormones." I glance over at Mattie and her Brian again and I squeeze my eyes when they are already at it again.
"Harm, I know how protective you can be, but let her have a little fun, alright? And now quit the 'concerned father attitude'. Go and find your mum, she's been waiting for a dance with her son for like forever." I get a light kiss but before I can really do something about it, she draws already away and wanders off. "Hey, and where do you go?"
She turns around and gives me that Marine grin that used to annoy the hell out of me. "I'm going to find myself a dance partner I'm not married to!" Uh? What's that supposed to mean? Hey! But she's already surrounded by some of our friends and coworkers and I really don't care to make an ass of myself today. For once…
Well, before I go and find my mom, I need something to drink. After all that's why I steered Mac off the dance floor in the first place. From the corner of my eye I keep taps on Mac though and marvel at her being swirled around by first the Admiral, then my stepfather and in the end Keeter. I should have known he would try to 'hit' on her sooner or later. He can claim to be the same carefree young guy he used to be 15 or 20 years ago, but he can never fool me into believing a word of what he says.
I spend the next hour dancing with various people and I even manage to get in a dance with Mattie. I enjoy that the most after dancing with Mac. She has been instrumental in getting me where I am today. Without her I wouldn't have Mac in my life today. "So, how is he?" I ask her once I get the feeling we are on safe ground again.
Mattie frowns a moment. "You mean Brian?" I quirk my eyebrow at her and she blushes. Just great! "Yeah?" She starts telling me about him and I make a mental note to keep close track of these two for the rest of the evening.
"He's great. I was hoping someone my age would be around today, other than Chloe that is. She's really nice, but she wandered off a while ago." I sigh in relief and she narrows her eyes in suspicion. "Harm? Come on you didn't think that…relax alright? I told you a while ago that it wasn't my primary concern to have a boyfriend." Am I that obvious?
"It's ok, girl. I just… well it's… I never saw you with a boy, that's all." She grins at me and if anything her eyebrows travel up even higher on her forehead. "Just admit you were jealous and we're even." I can't help myself, I just have to laugh at that. "Deal. You are going to make me nuts one of these days, you know?" But instead of looking contrite, she simply shrugs. "I had a good teacher!"
It takes me over an hour to hunt down Mac again. I'm taking a break from all this dancing. If somebody had mentioned that I'd have to dance my feet raw, I would have opted for a Vegas wedding, or at least for the hillside and the goats Mac wanted with Brumby.
I walk outside on the balcony and once I overhear Mac talking to Chloe I bite my tongue not to laugh out loud. "…young lady! What did you think, wandering off with him all alone? You can be glad I found you instead of somebody else."
I turn the corner into their line of view and the corners of my mouth turn upward even more. Mac has her hands on her hips and is literally towering over her little sister and a boy her age I don't know. "Ma'am, we were just…" he doesn't get out more, because my wife shuts him up the second he opens his mouth. "And you hold your tongue, mister. So far I haven't told your dad that I found you out here, snogging my little sister. Make sure it stays that way!"
I decide it's smarter to let them think I didn't hear this and walk back in. There are a couple people here that I still didn't really get a chance to chat with. Silently I grin, though. Who was it again, that told me to let the girls have some teenage fun? Hormones, hormones, hormones!