"Cadet Robyn Harmony Latham-Rabb" – Ch03– "Not a Silent Night"
AU: The consequences of the events in Ch01 begin to make themselves known more widely
A/N: "they aren't mine, I'm just playing with them - apart from any character created by myself". See Ch 01 for disclaimers.
Summary: this is a fictional story, in a fictional (slightly) Alternative Universe, about fictional characters who entertained us in a fictional TV series between 1995 and 2005. Comments and PMs and suggestions are most welcome; I shall update periodically. Mike
Canon: S04Ep09: "People v Mac" 17-Nov-1998. S04Ep10: "The Black Jet" 24-Nov-1998. S04Ep11 "Jaggle Bells"(Chloe) 15-Dec-1998 first appearance of "Jordi" Parker
A/N: published 30-JUN-2021: Onwards to a Californian Christmas.
A/N: updated 04-JUL-2021: with thanks to jpstar57 for the explanation of "spit-take".
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Ch03– "Not a Silent Night"
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Wednesday 23rd December 1998, 08:22hrs EST
Vietnam Veterans Memorial, south of Constitution Avenue, Washington DC
As they strolled back towards Harm's car which was parked up on Constitution Avenue, Bobbi suddenly let go of Harm's hand and bolted across to a nearby trashcan, where she proceeded to lose what little was in her stomach in as ladylike a manner as was possible.
Catching up to her and gently rubbing her back, Harm stood by with tissues and a bag of mints (he had done some reading the day before once Bobbi had told him that he would be becoming a father in the late summer of 1999). The nearby water fountain was, of course, frozen solid.
"Oh God, I hope this doesn't last too long" she groaned, as she took a mint from Harm then plucked a tissue to wipe her mouth. "This just ain't funny".
He wrapped an arm gently around her, then the couple strolled slowly onwards, back to his car. He unlocked the doors, then stood holding the door open for her as she slid into the passenger seat. He plucked a small bottle of mineral water off the back seat and proffered it to her. She accepted with a grateful, weak smile and began sipping the bubbly water as she rinsed her mouth.
Concern was written all across his face. "Darling, can I just check that you're OK with a five-hour flight westbound today?"
She smiled wanly and snuggled into the seat. "Sure, Harm; the alternative is flying on Christmas Eve! Nah, let's just get under way and I'll cope." She grimaced as she pulled the seatbelt across and latched it into position. "Heck, I sure ain't the first woman with morning sickness and I am pretty certain that I won't be the last."
She leaned across and patted his arm with her gloved hand as he took up position at the controls. "Anyway Harm, I guess it's just a price I have to pay for loving you."
He smiled warmly – the kind of "full-on 150watt Harmon Rabb smile" which made maidens' knees go week ("yeah, and that's what got me into this" Bobbi thought to herself).
They headed back to Harm's apartment for him to change and to collect his already-packed suitcase, then they headed across to the Watergate, en-route to Dulles for their check-in for the transcontinental hop. By 3PM the American Airlines 767 was easing off the runway and soaring into the cold and darkening skies, en-route for the (hoped-for) warmth of a Californian beachside Christmas.
The complimentary drinks service in First Class was lost on Bobbi (she was already – in her mind – taking the precautions of a pregnant woman), so she had volunteered to drive at the other end, allowing Harm to sample the bourbon that was on offer. They held hands throughout the flight, earning encouraging glances from the steward and stewardess in charge of First.
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Wednesday 23rd December 1998, 16:03hrs PST
Arrivals Hall, San Diego International Airport
Point Loma, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
As the 767 settled onto its glideslope over Bankers Hill inbound to the westbound runway, Harm looked out of the port side towards the lights of Coronado Island and the naval base. Today, he and Bobbi would be heading north straightaway towards La Jolla, but he had thought about the possibility of touring around the Naval installations on a free day during their Christmas and New Year stay.
He thought that it might be nice for Bobbi to see the working USN, without viewing everything through the prism of a PAO-guided Congressional special visit. Anyways, he rationalized, that was something for after Christmas – potentially early in 1999. His priority was getting Bobbi to the Burnett residence where she would be able to rest and to cope with the impact of the tiny child growing inside her.
He'd aim to borrow one of his father's cars (from the Frank collection which was seeded extensively with exemplars from the Chrysler stable) for the tour around his old hometown. The Sebring convertible might be nice (even if he had to wrap a blanket around "his" Roberta's shapely legs). Heck, he thought, Bobbi might very well want to drive so that he could navigate. He chuckled quietly to himself as the thought hit home - a US Navy officer telling a Congresswoman where to go – bring it on, Rabb!
His aviator thoughts returned to keeping an eye on the flare as the wide-body jetliner positioned for touchdown, which was smoothly accomplished before the reverse thrust sent a muted roar through the cabin behind Harm and Bobbi.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to San Diego International Airport, where the local time is…"
Harm and Bobbi had already agreed to wait for the aircraft to clear; the terminal building was bound to be heaving with Christmas arrivals and he wanted Bobbi to remain as calm as possible. They were in no rush and Harm wanted Bobbi to fully embrace the relaxing California lifestyle over the coming couple of weeks. He wanted their child to have the best possible start to its gestation – and a relaxed mom was one of the best ways to achieve that. She just sat quietly with her head resting on Harm's chest.
Eventually, with the remaining passengers disembarked, they thanked their cabin crew and headed out along the jet-way into Arrivals.
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Frank and Trish Burnett greeted them warmly, with hugs and handshakes. Harm had effected the introductions and had then stood back to allow Bobbi "first contact" and Trish's eyes were gleaming as she embraced Bobbi.
"Welcome to the family, Bobbi – or would you prefer Roberta?"
Frank leaned across to add his welcome. He had a rolled-up newspaper held in one hand.
"Oh, definitely Bobbi, please – only my parents use the full name when I have mis-behaved." She smiled and looked across to Harm, who seemed delighted that his girlfriend was being welcomed so warmly by his parents.
Trish looked back to Bobbi; Harm didn't catch the evil glint in her eye as she opened her mouth to speak (Trish so rarely managed to "get one over" on her son that she was going to enjoy this moment – again and again).
"Is everything OK with the baby?"
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Harm and Bobbi did a quick double take.
"Mom, how the heck…?"
Frank revealed the newspaper – the local afternoon edition with its messages of Christmas hope and Christmas cheer, with a pair of 5"x6" pictures sitting in the two lower quadrant.
One was a picture of Harm, bending low to kiss Bobbi's belt-line, taken at the Vietnam Memorial.
The caption was simple: "A Christmas love story – Congressional relationships developing."
Harm and Bobbi looked at each other, then looked across to Trish and Frank and shrugged helplessly.
In unison, Frank and Trish leaned in and hugged them both. Trish whispered into Bobbi's ear – loud enough for Harm to hear over the general hubbub in the terminal:
"Welcome to the Family, Bobbi."
For Bobbi, after the sudden surprise of the exposure of their news, it was just the most wonderful Californian welcome for her, her man and their unborn child. She relaxed instantly, shedding just one – very happy – tear as she was folded into the embrace of her new family.
Frank led Bobbi away towards the parking lot as Harm and Trish followed along, just a few paces back.
"Harm, I would say that you've picked a good one there."
"Oh yes, Mom- although technically I reckon that she picked me! Frankly it was a meeting of equals and I am head-over-heels in love with her. She didn't hesitate for a moment when she got the news about the baby; it's just one more line in her Congressional inbox at the moment." He shrugged. "Mind you, with the morning sickness hitting in the past week, she may need to take it a bit easy until her hormone levels settle down."
Trish looked at him sideways, as though deciding whether to pass on another nugget of Rabb family history.
"Oh dear! You won't know, Harm: I was up-chucking for the first three months that I was carrying you - and again with the baby that I ended up losing when your father was shot down in '69. I think you'll be supporting your lady through all of this for quite some time to come."
That helped Harm to make up his mind.
"OK Mom, you *do* still have the Rabb family ring, don't you?"
"Yes indeed Harm – in fact, we had it polished this week."
He raised an inquisitive eyebrow and she smiled: "Call it mother's intuition, Harm."
"OK; well, while we are over here, there is something I need to do with Bobbi – with that ring, if you agree."
She raised a soft hand to stroke his cheek. "Yes of course Harm – and your father would have been so proud of you." She looked at Bobbi's rear profile as she and Frank led the way. "I reckon she's a keeper, son."
"Thanks Mom; I've also decided, with my own potential parenthood approaching, that I am going to start calling Frank "Dad" formally. Would you be alright with that change?"
"Harm, it's long overdue in my book although I would never say anything, of course" she replied. "But I do know that your father would be very proud of you. Let's go light a candle for him tomorrow on the anniversary."
"Yeah, Mom – great idea. I might light another one for Bobbi and her family – they have a 40th wedding anniversary over the vacation."
"Good – that's settled. Come on, let's catch up with those two." Trish looked across to where Bobbi and Frank were striding away towards the exit doors. Bobbi's low-heeled boots were enabling her to easily keep pace with Frank's stride.
"She doesn't hang about, this girl of yours – pregnant or not – does she?"
"No she doesn't Mom - and I believe that I am very fortunate."
Harm realised that he and Bobbi could not have concealed the secret of her morning sickness for very long. He could not realistically hope that it had been left behind in DC, after Trish's revelations about the devastating effect of Rabb male DNA on a woman's hormonal balance during pregnancy!
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Thursday 24th December 1998, 07:29hrs EST
Apartment of Major Sarah Mackenzie, Georgetown, Washington DC
As she prepared for the final day of duty in Falls Church ahead of the Christmas shutdown, Sarah was eating breakfast at the breakfast bar in her apartment. Unusually compared with her normal mornings, she had taken time to read the paper.
With all the "crap" of recent months finally behind her, she was hoping for a quiet Christmas with Chloe, who had been reading the morning newspaper whilst Mac prepared her breakfast.
Chloe had handed the newspaper across with a big conspiratorial smile - Mac was about to find out why!
A large mouthful of corn flakes coincided with her turning the page.
Co-incidentally, the Admiral was undertaking the same domestic task – this time with oatmeal – over in his McLean home.
Her eyes focused in on the "happy couple" who were pictured in the news agency picture on page two. Her eyes took in the obvious Harmon Rabb pose and she recognized Congresswoman Roberta Latham's face; but what was Harm doing, bending down like that and almost kissing (in uniform)…?
"Holy hell!"
Her surprised reaction resulted in a newspaper which had been pebble-dashed (A/N: UK expression; the equivalent in US parlance is "spit-take") with her cereal. Eventually her surprised coughing subsided, leaving just one thought in the Marine's brain.
A similar surprised coughing of oatmeal was under way in McLean!
"Son of a …."
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End of "Cadet Robyn Harmony Latham-Rabb" Ch03– "Not a Silent Night"
Mike, United Kingdom, 30-06-2021 *updated 04JUL2021