Knock….Knock…

"Come in.."Harm said..

"Hello my family.."Mac said as she came walking in with John by her side..

"Good morning..Mom…John….John it is so good to see you."Mattie said..

"It is only because we are bringing food I know.."John said with a smile the whole time..

Harm got up so that John could talk his spot. He was not expecting the look that he got from Mattie.

"Mats I am not going anywhere just giving John some room to sit down."Harm whispered..

"Hey old man are you okay."Mac said as he watched Harm get up stiffly.

"Yeah I think I have been sitting for to long.."Harm said as she sat down in a chair and Mac massaged his back a bit.

"How was the night?"Mac asked.

"It was good she slept off and on..The new medicine that they have her on.. it is taking a bit of a toll, but she is getting stronger because of it so that is good."Harm said..

"I can not wait till we can go home.. It is a good thing that we took two weeks. So much for fixing up the house."Mac said..

"Well I have been talking Frank and I think He is going to help us out a bit."Harm said..

"Wow we are so blessed."Mac said..

"Yeah I think we finally are out of the hard stuff. We are going to be okay."Harm said with a smile..

"Hey mom…I am hungry.."Mattie said like a five year old..

"Mats how old are you?"Harm asked..

"5.."Mattie said with a huge smile and then she got tickled by John so the laughter was even more.

"I could get used to that sound."Mac said..

"me too.."John replied..

So they made plates and had a great breakfast that Trish had prepared for them.

"Knock…Knock…"Dr. Hart said as he came in the room..

"Well…Well..Seems like our favorite patient had quite the treat this morning."Dr. hart said..

"What can I say I have a lot of amazing people who love me.."Mattie said..

"Lets see how you are doing.. How is your stomach?"Dr. hart asked..

"It still is a little nauseas, but Dr. Matthews says it is just because of the medicine."Mattie said.

"Yeah Unfortunately there is not much we can do about it, but we can try to keep food in you so that it is never working on an empty stomach. How is the pain in your legs?"Dr. Hart said.

"It is about the same that it has been since we started the new meds. It is pretty much dull until it is time for another dose."Mattie said.

"What does it feel like when you are about to get new dose. Is it the same as before or different?"Dr. Hart asked..

"It is pretty crampy.."Mattie replied..

"Okay thanks for answering all of my questions."Dr. Hart said.

"So am I getting better?"Mattie asked..

"You know Mattie you are getting stronger vital wise.. I am hoping once we can get your vitals strong for a consistent amount of time that then your body will start working on your legs. I would like to see the pain not increase with the meds that we are giving you. Not that you will not be in pain at all, but I would like to see it get close to last time before we let you go. I want you to be back on your other pain meds before we let you go from the hospital."Dr. Hart said..

"Dr. Hart that is not good news.."Mattie said with a bit of a pout face..

"Well it is good news that your vitals are getting and staying stronger. That is good news Mattie, but am I writing dismissal paper yet. No I can not do that yet. It is for your own good. Hang in there kiddo."Dr. Hart said as he finished making notes on her chart and headed out of the room..

"I hate this.."Mattie said…

"I know sweetie, but they are only doing what is best for you."Harm said..

"I just don't want to be in pain anymore.. I don't want to be hurting anymore.. I just want to wake up as if this did not happen."Mattie said..

"Hey Harm…John can you give us a min.."Mac said. She wanted to get to the bottom of this attitude that was beginning to develop..

"Sure thing..we will go to the waiting room.."Harm said as he and John walked out. Harm was happy that he would have some one on one time with John..

"Mattie I need you to level with me on what is going on."Mac said..

"What do you mean mom nothing is going on."Mattie said putting on the defensive..

"Mattie what did I promise you that day when you shared with me about what Tom did to you?"Mac asked in a stern but comforting tone..

"That we needed to always be honest with each other and that you would always be there for me."Mattie said..

"So enough of the BS talk and let's get down to business."Mac said..

"I am just so tired of all of this. I am tired of hospitals..I am tired of the fact that you were sick and throwing up and Harm was with me instead of with you…I am tired of hearing bad news and not good news from the doctors.. I feel like even though Tom is gone and can not hurt us anymore that he still has control over us because we still can not spend time together as a family…This is ridiculous… I am just tired of it all..I want to go home I want us to be a family together I want to be laughing and smiling all the time. I want to close my eyes and have dreams about my new brother and sister or what John and my wedding day might look like not nightmares about the car crash and all the horrible things that I have gone through..I am just upset and im tired..I hate seeing the fear in worry in you and dads eyes…"Mattie said breaking down…

"Shhhhh…..Shhhhh….Mattie you need to calm down…"Mac said rubbing her back…

"Im just tired mom…I love you guys so much and I am just tired of all the hurt that Tom caused us..I just want to go home and get well and just enjoy all of the amazing things that we have to enjoy.."Mattie said..

'We will…You are getting stronger everyday..more so…Your dad and I are okay…Mattie I need you to know and believe me when I tell you that I am okay…The baby is okay…Just like I told you last night…Even if your dad was home there is nothing that he could do to take the sickness away.."Mac said..

"But he could take care of you.."Mattie said..

"Mats I know that but there are a lot of people who take care of me..Your dad is taking care of me by taking care of you. That warms my heart…You take care of me by trying your hardest to get better.. Trish and Frank are taking care of me.. It is all part of what I signed up for when I married your dad. Mattie your dad and I have helped each other by being together, but we have also helped each other even when we could not be together…We are going to be fine…I need you to stop spending energy worrying about us and start spending that energy getting better. Can you do that."Mac said with a smile..

"Yeah I can do that… I just need to hear some good news I guess.."Mattie said smiling too..

"Well I can hand you some good news…In about 8 months you are going to be a big sister..you have an amazing mom and dad if you don't mind me saying so…you have grandparents who love to dote over you..you have a boyfriend who is hopelessly in love with you…you are in beautiful san diego…everyone at this hospital love you….should I continue..?"Mac asked..

"No you made your point….How quickly sometimes I am reminded that both of my parents are litigators.."Mattie said with a little chuckle..

"Now that is what I like to see and hear…"Mac said…

Back with Harm and John…

"So John how have you been doing?"Harm asked..

"I am doing good… School is going well surprisingly.."John said..

"I am glad to hear that."Harm said.. "You did a great job handling everything…you really did…I am so thankful that you were there and took action like you did."Harm said..

"Thanks Harm that means a lot to me."John said..

"Let me know if I can do anything to make things go smoother for ya…Let me know when you want to come to Top Gun again.."Harm said..

"Will do man.."John said.. "Do you mind if I go and spend sometime with Mattie?"John asked as he saw Mac come walking towards them.

"Sure…thanks for always being open to talking with me."Harm said as he gave John a hug and then welcomed Mac into his arms..

"Hello my wife..Have I told you how sexy you look.."Harm said..

"Oh yeah in my nice work out clothes that I am wearing.."Mac said with a smile..

"In anything that you wear…I miss holding you.."Harm said…

"I miss being held a lot…"Mac said..

"Are you doing okay…Is the baby behaving.."Harm asked?

"I am taking things one day at a time.."Mac said..

"Okay…I guess that is what we are all doing.."Harm said..

"Yep…we need to keep an eye on Mattie though.."Mac said..

"Yeah what has gotten into her?"Harm asked.

" Well she is just tired of being hurt and the pain is starting to get to her.."Mac said..

"Well maybe she needs some reienforcements.."Harriet said as she rounded the corner..

"Harriet,Bud,Kids,AJ.."Mac said..

"Oh are we so happy to see you.."Harm said..

"We heard that you guys could use some happy company.."Bud said..

"I can not believe that we get to spend some more time together…how did you guys get to turn around so fast.."Mac asked..

"Lets just say that AJ here still has some pull."Bud said..

"Really…"Harm said..

"Hey only for certain people would I pull strings…You guys are family…we are all family…when one of us is hurting all of us are hurting.."Aj said..

"Thank You for always being there for us.."Harm said as he gave AJ a hug..

"You have no idea how happy we are to be back.."Harriet said..

"We can say the same.."Mac said.. All of the sudden she felt a certain peace that she had not felt in awhile. Things were going to be okay. They were going to get through this. They were so lucky to have the wonderful people that they did in there lives..

"We are so lucky.."Harm said as he came up and gave her a big hug..

"Yep we are.."Mac replied..

"Hey uncle Mac and Harm can I go and give a gift to Mattie?"Aj asked..

"You betcha…Lets all go and visit with Mattie for a little bit. I am sure that she would love to see you all."Mac said as she lead the way to Mattie's room.

"So are you hanging in there?"Aj asked Harm..

"Yeah we are…I thought that our life was hard before we started our family…Now it is so much harder, but in a good way…"Harm said..

"Family is a good thing.."Aj said with a smile..

"Yeah I know that…I love that actually.."Harm said..

"I am happy for ya.."Aj said as they turned the corner to Mattie's room..

Mattie and John heard Knock…Knock… Then little AJ went in the room screaming..

"Mattie…..Mattie….Mattie look what I made you.."Little AJ said as he went jumping on her hospital bed..

"Let me see AJ.."Mattie said as she pulled him close.

Mattie looked at the card and tears came to her eyes…"It is beautiful Aj thank you.."Mattie said..

"Mats I did not mean to make you cry."Aj said a little shy..

"Oh no I am not sad these are happy tears because I love the card so much."Mattie said..

"Oh..well then you are welcome.."Aj said with a smile..

"Hi John…can we play football soon."Aj asked..

"Yeah I think we can manage that."John said. He was so excited that AJ remembered him from the wedding..

"Okay AJ come to mom so that other people can say there hello's"Harriet said a little worried that AJ was near all of the wires..

"Aunt Harriet he is fine…but I do want hugs from everyone."Mattie said..

So everyone said there hellos and got to visit for a little bit before Nicole had to come and do the three hour check up..

"I love you very much Mats.."Aj said giving her a big hug..

"I Love you too AJ…I will see you soon okay…I want you to kick some butt in pool volley ball for me okay."Mattie said in AJ's ear..

"You got it dude.."Aj said as he grabbed Harriets hand and they made there way out of the room..

"Hey Mats how are ya doing?"Nicole asked.

"I am doing much better right now.."Mattie said with a huge smile..

"How are you legs doing?"Nicole asked..

"They are doing good no change in pain.."Mattie said..

"Well your vitals are staying stable and strong so that is good. If this keeps up Dr. Hart and Matthews might start to lower the dose of this medication to see if we can start to slowly take you off."That got the smile out of Mattie she was hoping for. "I do need you to take a nap though okay.. I am glad that you have some many people who love you, but we would not want to get a set back."Nicole said wanting her to remember that she still needed to keep her sleep up.

"Yes we would not want to do that.. I will try to get some sleep.."Mattie said..

"What can I bring you for Lunch when you wake up?"Nicole asked.

"Some chicken soup and a salad."Mattie said.

"Okay sounds good. I will see you in a couple of hours."Nicole said as she left the room to go and put in the lunch order..

"Alright kiddo why don't you say we try and get some sleep."Harm said..

"Harm why don't you go home with everyone…Maybe mom will stay with me this time.."Mattie said..

"Well I kinda sent her home with everyone..you are stuck with me.. I am sorry Mats I did not realize that you wanted her to stay.."Harm said..

"It is okay… She will be back later?"Mattie asked..

"Yeah she is going to come back after everyone gets settled at the house.."Harm said as they got situated again..

"Okay sounds good…alright dad lets give this a go.."Mattie said.

"I will be right here the whole time.."Harm said..

"I know…Will you promise me something?"Mattie asked..

"Sure Mats what is that…"Harm replied..

"Will you try and get some sleep to…I would hate for you to get sick after all of this.."Mattie said..

"I will…"Harm said with a smile..

"Okay…Good night then…"Mattie said..

"Good night my love.."Harm said.

Back at the house with the gang..

"Aj are you ready for some pool volleyball?"John asked..

"You betcha.."Aj said with a really excited scream..

AJ,Bud,John, and little AJ were getting into the water to play. Frank was going to be the ref.

"It seems so unfair that we are having so much fun.."Mac said as Trish and Harriet and her were watching the guys play in the water.

"Yeah I know, but I already notice a different in you Mac since everyone is back in town."Trish said..

"You know why I think that is.."Mac said.

"Why.."Harriet replied..

"Because this is the way that it is supposed to be.."Mac said with a smile..

"I know I would give so much if we could be transferred out here to be with you all."Harriet said..

"Well we are hiring.."Mac said..

"Well we will just have to see.."Harriet said. She did not want to get Mac's hopes up but there was another reason for there trip back to San Diego. With all the ups and downs in the Rabbs life she thought that they should keep there plans to there self for now..

So the gang continued to play and enjoy each others company…

Back at the hospital…

"No……Please…..No….Tom…..No….You don't understand…I Love him….Tom Please….He has not done anything….Please…..Tom….Please….."Mattie was having another bad dream…This time though things were more serious because her numbers were struggling…

Harm woke to the sound of Mattie's Monitors sounding not normal. He pushed the emergency button and then tried to wake Mattie up. She was sweating and very hot…. Harm was worried…

Nicole and Dr. Hart came running in the room..

"Harm what happened?"Dr. Hart said..

"We were just taking a nap and she must have been having a nightmare..Why is she burning up…why are the monitors going crazy…"Harm said..

"Harm I need you to talk to Mattie and try to calm her down.."Dr. Hart said..

"Mattie I am right here you are not alone…I need you to wake up okay…Shhhh….Shhhh…It is okay…you are in a hospital safe Mattie…Shhhh…..Shhhh….thats my girls that my girl….Shhhh…..Shhhh…"Harm said as he kept talk to her.

It was working her numbers were coming down..

"Nicole what is the temperature?"Dr. Hart asked..

"100.00 even."Nicole responded..

"Why do I have a temperature.."Mattie asked still grogilly..

"Mattie what do you feel like?"Dr. Hart asked..

"Still nauseas, but worst then before.."Mattie said.

"Okay I think we are okay…I think we just need to get you something to eat and some fluids…I think your body just needs some more time.."Dr. Hart said..

"Can I have the noise one?"Mattie asked..

"Yeah…Mattie unfortunately we are going to have to hook up another IV to you. We need to run some constant fluids to you. Because of the medicine that we are giving you and the sleeping and awake schedule you are not you are getting dehydrated. That is why you have a fever. I do not want to stop the medicine at this time though. Your body just needs a little bit more help.."Dr. Hart said. He rattled off a couple of things to Nicole and she left the room to get the medicine and another IV and Matties lunch..

"Hey Mats are you ready?"Nicole asked as she was getting ready to put the needle in again..

"Yeah.."Mattie said as she squeezed Harms hand. Before she knew it though it was over..

"I don't think it is a good thing, but needles are getting easier and easier to handle."Mattie said with a smile..

"here is a warm blanket..leave it on for about 30 mins. it will help with the pain..you hands could be a little bit tender because of the amount of times they have been prodded."Nicole said..

"I am going to be okay… right?"Mattie asked a little shooken up by what just happened..

"Yeah you are going to be just fine…Just try and get some more sleep.."Nicole said..

"Thanks.."Mattie said as she began to eat her lunch…

"Hey Mattie I am going to run to the bathroom really quick."Harm said.

"Okay I will be here.."Mattie said..

"I Love You.."Harm said..

"I Love You too dad.."Mattie replied..

Harm quickly went to the bathroom and then stepped into a cellphone safe place that Dr. hart told him about.

Mac heard her cell phone ring in the house so she got up to answer it..

"Hey flyboy…"Mac said..

"Hey Marine…it is so good to hear your voice.."Harm said..

"Harm….whats wrong…you sound upset.."Mac said starting to panic a little bit..

"well Mattie just had a little set back….she was having a nightmare and her vitals were going really high and she has a bit of a fever…I just met with Dr. Hart and he just thinks that she is dehydrated because of the medicine. Her body is not able to keep her hydrated on her own…They had to hook her back up to another IV with fluids again…Mac I really need you to come to the hospital for a little bit.."Harm said barely holding it together…Mac on the other end was not holding it together at all..

"I will be right there Harm…"Mac said…

"Okay see you soon…Love You drive safe.."Harm said..

"thanks I will, Love You too.."Mac replied..

Mac quickly wiped her eyes and went back out to the others…"I need to go to the hospital."Mac said to the girls trying not to make a big scene..

"Mac is everything okay…You look upset…is it the baby….Mattie…"Trish asked..

"Mattie is having a hard time with the new medicine that she is on..she is dehydrated and Harm just needs some support..I will call you when I know more…Our house is your house just make yourself at home okay.."Mac said trying to hold it together…

"Don't worry about a thing….I will take care of everything here you just take care of Mattie.."Trish said as she walked Mac out to the car…

"Thanks Trish…I will call the home number as soon as I know more…comfort John for me…Mattie is fine..She will be fine we just need to get her some sleep.."Mac said..

"Yeah don't you worry about a thing…If I do not hear from you I will have AJ or Frank bring by some dinner for you all okay.."Trish said..

"thanks.."Mac said…

Trish left the car and went back inside…Mac put the car and reverse and she was on her way…She just lost it as she was driving.. She drove as fast and as safe as she could. When she got to the hospital and Mattie's floor Harm was waiting for her and they both just lost it…

"Oh Harm…"Mac said as they started to calm down…

"I was so scared…"Harm said..

"I know, but they are going to take good care of her…She will be okay…"Mac said..

"Yeah she is feeling much better now that there are extra fluids going into her…She was so scared when she woke up this last time..I don't know if she will go back to sleep…"Harm said…

"Harm why don't you go home for a bit…You have not slept in awhile….Why don't you let me take over for a little bit.."Mac said..

"Are you sure…I don't want to put any extra stress on your right now.."Harm said..

"I will be okay….I need you to get some rest…I can't have you falling apart on my…on us.."Mac said..

"Okay I can do that…I love you.."Harm said..

"I Love you too."Mac said as she leaned in for a kiss…

"Call me if you need me…even if it is before I get home.."harm said..

"No worries I will…"Mac said as she gave him one more hug and a kiss..