VERMONT

DISCLAIMER: See previous chapters, nothing has changed.

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Mac, Harm and Ahmed departed on the journey to the Anderson Home.  During the ride they played Road Sign Alphabet and License Plate Bingo, anything to make the ride go faster.  They would arrive in Vermont around 3pm.  After the first 3 hours Ahmed dozed off, giving Mac and Harm some time to talk.

"You know this past week has made me realize something." Harm said with a smile.

"What's that?" Mac asked as she gazed out the window.

"You're going to be a great mom." Harm said reaching over and taking her hand.

"Really? I thought I was a mess this week." Mac said laughing.

"Yes really. You that's something we haven't talked about." Harm said.

"Talk about a segue." Mac said taken off guard.

"Don't you think it's something we need to talk about?" Harm asked.

"Well yeah, but right now? Today?" Mac stated.

"Relax, Mac I was just thinking about the future." Harm said.

"Harm, let's get to the wedding and through the wedding." Mac said.

"Ok, but tell me this much.  Do you still want to have children?" Harm asked.

"Well according to my calculations, with or without a wedding you and I agreed to have a baby next year." Mac said with a laugh.

"I know that, but I want to know now, do you still want children?" Harm asked again.

"Yes Harm, I want children, with you." Mac said leaning over and kissing his cheek.

"Hey I'm driving here." Harm joked.  "I'm am very relieved to hear you say that."

"Harm why were you worried?" Mac asked.

"I don't know, lately everything is worrying me.  Where we are going to live, how we are going to work, when do we open a joint checking account, if you're going to change your name?" Harm rambled.

"I am thinking we are going to live either in your apartment or mine for now. We are going to work like we always have. And opening up a joint checking account anytime would be a good idea." Mac said.

"What about the name change?" Harm asked.

"Professionally I am keeping MacKenzie, it's the name I earned my law degree with.  Personally, I want to be Mrs. Rabb." Mac said.

"That works for me." Harm smiled. "Now have you thought about a honeymoon?"

"No I haven't." Mac laughed. "Have you?"

"Niagara Falls?" Harm said.

"Too cliché." Mac replied.

"Europe?" Harm asked.

"Hmm, how about London?" Mac suggested.

"Ohh London, I like that." Harm smiled. "London it is."

"I'll make the arrangements when I get back." Mac said.

"Call my mother.  She knows London and she mentioned that she and Frank wanted to treat us as a wedding gift." Harm said.

"You didn't tell me that." Mac said.

"Well, I figured this way you would pick something without worrying about costs." Harm smiled.

"Nice flyboy." Mac said. "I'll call her when we get back."

"She's expecting your call, I'm sure." Harm said. "Now why don't you take a nap?"

"Sounds like a plan, you sure you don't mind?" Mac asked.

"No besides, Chloe will probably keep you up all night talking." Harm said.

ANDERSON FARM

A few hours later they pulled into the Anderson's driveway.

"Mac!" Chloe said running to the car. "How are you? It's so good to see you. I've missed you. Is this Ahmed? How long are you staying? Let me see your ring. I can't believe you guys finally got it together. It's so cool. Can I be in the wedding?"

"Chloe, slow down." Mac said giving her a hug.

"Sorry. Hi Harm, how are you?" Chloe said giving Harm a hug.

"I'm good. How are you?" Harm said.

"Hi, Mrs. Anderson, it's nice to see you again." Mac said to Chloe's grandmother.

"Hello, dear. Hello Harm nice to see you." Mrs. Anderson said.

"Hello, good to see you too Ma'am." Harm replied.

"So, this must be Ahmed. Welcome." Mrs. Anderson said with a smile.

"Hello, it's a pleasure to meet you." Ahmed said.

"Well before we do anything, how about I show you your room." Mrs. Anderson said taking his hand and leading him to the house.

"Mac, how old is he?" Chloe asked.

"Fifteen." Mac replied.

"He's cute." Chloe giggled.

"Harm, would you please get our bags?" Mac asked. "Chloe and I need to chat."

"Chloe, Ahmed has been through a lot.  Get that look off your face." Mac said.

"What? I just noticed that he was cute. It never bothered you when I said Harm was cute." Chloe protested.

"Hmm ok. Just remember he is a member of the family." Mac said with a smile.

"I know I know. Grams already told me." Chloe said. "Now tell me about the wedding."

"What do you want to know?" Mac said coyly.

"Everything. Start at the beginning." Chloe said.

"The beginning? Chloe that's a long story." Mac laugh. "We aren't going to be here that long."

"Just give me the highlights. You haven't told me anything, except that you and Harm were together." Chloe whined.

"Ok, the highlights.  Harriet locked us in her basement and we finally talked.  We had a wonderful romantic date that ended with us dancing under the stars at the Mall.  We ended up on assignment in Hawaii, and then another one in Puerto Rico that Harm turned into a long weekend."

"Wow Hawaii and Puerto Rico. That is so cool." Chloe squealed.

"Well that's not all.  We then pretended to break up to find out what Lt. Singer was up to. You remember me talking about her?  Well once that was over Harm and I had dinner at my place and he proposed." Mac said.

"Ohhhh that is so romantic." Chloe cooed.

"I must admit it was very romantic." Mac laughed.

"So can I be in your wedding." Chloe begged.

"Well, now that you mention it…" Mac teased.

"Come on Mac. I was going to be in you wedding when you almost married what's his face. You know I knew he was bad, he gave me champagne." Chloe said.

"Oh did he and yes you were going to be in that wedding." Mac said.

"So why can't I be in this one?" Chloe asked.

"I never said that.  I was thinking that you could be my Maid of Honor." Mac said.

"Oh my god! Me? The Maid of Honor, who's the best man?" Chloe was jumping around.

"Sergei is going to be the best man." Mac replied.

"Oh wow now he's cute!" Chloe said with a big smile. "I have to go tell Grams."

"I take it she said yes." Harm said walking out to the porch.

"Yes she did and I think she's just a little excited about it." Mac laughed.

"So can you see yourself living on a large piece of land like this?" Harm asked hugging Mac from behind.

"Maybe, who knows?" Mac said

"See our kids running around in the yard, us sitting on the porch at night…" Harm began to drift away and so did Mac.

"Excuse me?" Mrs. Anderson said. "I was going to put out some refreshments before dinner you must be starved."

"That's very nice of you." Mac said snapping back to reality.

"Where is Mr. Anderson?" Harm asked.

"Oh had to take a ride into town." Mrs. Anderson said. "He should be back soon."

"I really appreciate what you are doing for Ahmed." Mac said.

"It's our pleasure, we have the room and more importantly the love." Mrs. Anderson smiled.

"Ahmed how's your room?" Mac asked sitting next to him on the couch.

"It's wonderful. Mac I was wondering about my finances." Ahmed said.

"What about them?" Mac asked not sure where this was leading.

"I should get a job to earn my stay." Ahmed said earnestly.

"Oh dear, don't worry about that." Mrs. Anderson cut in. "There are plenty of chores around here for you to help out with.  Not to mention, we do get a supplement from the state since we are your foster family."

"Are you sure? I do not want to be a burden." Ahmed said.

"Even if we weren't getting the supplement, you would not be a burden.  You are family now." Mrs. Anderson said.

"Ahmed, do you know how to ride horses?" Chloe asked.

"Yes, I do." Ahmed replied.

"Good then we can go riding.  There are great trails here." Chloe said getting up. "Come on, I'll show you my horse."  The kids left to go to the stables.

"Mac, I have found some information about schools and I did find a mosque. I wasn't sure of his religious upbringing but thought that we should have the information all the same." Mrs. Anderson said.

"I think that's terrific.  I know he says his prayers at night, but we really never discussed anything beyond that." Mac replied.

"Hey the military's in town." Mr. Anderson said walking into the living room. "Colonel Commander it's good to see you both again."

"Mr. Anderson, it's wonderful to see you." Mac said.

"Hello Sir, how are you?" Harm asked.

"Doing just fine. So I know congratulations are in order.  High time you two did this." He said with a smile.

"Well it won't be done until April. You will be there?" Mac asked.

"We wouldn't miss it." Both Andersons replied in unison.

Time went by and they all chatted.  Chloe and Ahmed came back from the stables and everyone sat for dinner.  They spent a nice day together on Saturday.  Sunday came much too quickly and it was time for Mac and Harm to leave.  With tearful goodbyes, a lot of hugs and promises for lots of phone calls they departed for Washington.

Mrs. Anderson gave them a care package of food for the long drive ahead.  Ahmed thanked Mac again for all she had done and they all watched as Mac and Harm drove away.