When Harm took Natalie by Sarah and Natalie's apartment, they went through her drawers and room to find some more personal items. They ended up taking her school clothes, toothbrush, hairbrush, and toys that she wanted. "See," she said as she pointed to her collection, " This is the collection mom and dad started for me before I was born. This is my Navy tomcat. It's my favorite because mom liked it so much. She told me that she bought it right before her wedding."
"Wow," said Harm. His face was lit up but his she could tell by his eyes that something was wrong.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing. Your collection is pretty cool," said Harm as he turned away from Natalie's small face.
"Thanks," she said breaking out into a broad smile. "You want to see more?"
"Sure."
"This is my second favorite. It's a fighter jet. It's really old," she said as she smiled again.
"They're very nice. I would like to see more, but we need to get you back to my apartment because we're going to have dinner and tomorrow you're going back to school."
"Okay," she said reluctantly. "Can I take my doll?"
"Sure." Natalie held up a raggedy baby doll in her arms. Harm placed a hand on her shoulder and guided her out to his car.
After dinner, Harm helped Natalie pick out some school clothes and climb into bed. He tucked her in and turned to leave but she cried out, "No!"
He returned instantly to her side and picked her up in his arms. "It's okay," he whispered as she threw her arms around his neck.
"I'm scared!" she said as tears streamed down her face.
"What are you scared of?" he asked soothingly.
"I miss mom. And I'm afraid you're going leave me like dad did!" she cried as her arms tightened.
"Natalie, I'm not your dad. Okay, I'm not going to leave you. I promise. And your mom will get better soon. Until then, you can talk to me whenever you need to."
"Okay," Natalie said as she sniffled.
"Are you going to be okay if Harriet takes you to school tomorrow with Emily and A.J?"
"I guess. She's nice, right?" she asked as she finished drying her tears.
"Harriet is wonderful. She and your mom used to be very good friends, and she's still one of my very good friends," said Harm as he re-tucked Natalie in.
"Alright. Harm? I love you," she whispered quietly.
"I know. And I love you too, sweetie," he said as he closed the door.
****
The next morning, Harm dropped a very clingy Natalie off at Harriet and Bud's house. Once Natalie met Harriet, Emily, A.J., and Bud, she released her grip on Harm somewhat. After two extra hugs, Harm was able to get out the door with Bud.
"She looks just like Colonel Mackenzie sir," said Bud in awe.
"It's amazing, isn't it?" chuckled Harm.
"And the way she's clinging to you sir, you'd think she was your daughter."
"I think her father's treatment of her has something to do with how she feels about males. And besides, I'm growing pretty fond of her too," he admitted.
"I understand. How is Colonel Mackenzie? Harriet and I would have liked to visit her, but we didn't want to intrude…"
"If you'd like to visit, she's in room 435. I'll be up there until Nat gets out of school, then I'll probably bring her back up to see Mac. Her condition isn't worsening or improving from what I heard when I called there this morning."
"Alright, Harriet and I will think about visiting this Saturday."
"Okay, I'll talk to you later Bud."
"Bye sir."
"Bye."
Harm went back to the hospital where he found a still sleeping Mac. He approached her bed and pushed the tubes away so he could hold her hand.
"Hey Mac. I'm here alone. I had Harriet take Natalie to school for me. She's a great little girl, but she seems a bit too grown up for her age. I don't have any kids, so I didn't know what it felt like. But, honestly, last night, Natalie told me she loved me. And I was just taken by surprise, completely off-guard," he said as he massaged her muscles in her arm.
"I know she needed to hear it back, so I told her I loved her too. And the strangest thing about that is, after spending only three days with her, I do love her, like she were my own daughter. I don't know why you didn't come back into my life after you divorced him."
Harm sighed and put his head down next to hers. "It's so complicated."
When he became too frustrated too talk anymore, he stepped out into the hall, nearly colliding with Dr. Pendrey. "Oh sorry," he said as he realized who it was.
"That's okay," Dr. Pendrey said as she flashed him a smile. "You're Harm, right?" "Yeah. I have a few questions about Sarah, actually, so if you could tell me when you have some time, I'd appreciate it."
She glanced at her watch and said," Well, I'm on break as of now if you'd like to get coffee with me."
"Alright."
Harm accompanied her down to the cafeteria where they both ordered coffee. They sat down at one of the chipped tables that no one was near.
"You said you have some questions about Sarah?" she asked as she sipped the hot coffee.
"Yes. I'm worried, why hasn't she woken up?" asked Harm.
"Well, having a serious head injury, the tissue swells. The more swollen, the more oxygen needed to heal. But because the brain is encased in the skull, the skull prevents it from expanding, and pressure builds. This causes the blood to slow and since the blood carries oxygen, there is less oxygen getting to the brain. It will take time for her to heal, and her body will determine how much time is needed."
Harm shook his head slowly in understanding. "Is her condition life-threatening?"
"It's been almost three days. The swelling is going down and though she's in a coma, she seems to be doing better. I can't guarantee that she'll be fine; believe me, I wish I could. But I do believe that she has a very good chance."
"Okay. Do you know when she'll wake up?" he asked.
"As I said before, it depends on how much healing her body has to do. It all differs from person to person, so we can't tell when someone will awaken. She may become agitated in her comatose state. That could mean anything from seizures to posturing, odd movements of her body. But that may not happen. Also, we're going to start rotating her. She's spent two and a half days on her back, now we'd like to move her onto her side."
Harm finished his coffee and stood. "Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions, Dr. Pendrey. I appreciate it."
"Any questions you have, just come find me. And you can call me Kayla," she said as she flashed him another smile.
"Alright," Harm said as he smiled slightly, then returned to Mac's room. He had skipped lunch and now it was almost two. Natalie would be out of school in an hour, and he'd promised Harriet he'd pick all three children up this afternoon. Harm sat down at Mac's side again. She looked so frail and fragile lying in the large hospital bed with the ugly hospital gown on. Not at all like the marine he had once known.