THE CHRISTENING

DISCLAIMERS: I don't own them, and after all this writing I am not sure I would want to, it's not easy being creative all the time.

Please send me reviews and thank you to everyone who has. 

Author's note: Just some filler before the wedding.

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Three weeks before the wedding,

United Methodist Church

"Really Harriet, did you have to choose a church in DC?" Mrs. Sims said in that tone Harriet hated.

"Yes mother I like this church. Doesn't dad need you?" Harriet asked.

"Well, I just think something a bit more us, would have been a better choice." Mrs. Sims said.

"Mother," Harriet said rolling her eyes. "Don't you think you should be with dad?"

"Hey Harriet, Godparents reporting for duty." Harm said.

"How's it going Harriet?" Mac said as she watched Mrs. Sims walking away.

"Promise me if I ever become my mother you will shoot me." Harrier said.

"Oh Harriet, it could be worse." Mac said.

"How?" Harriet asked.

"She could live here." Harm said with a laugh.

"Don't give her any ideas." Harriet said.  Just then Bud walked over with Little AJ and Ashley.

"Ohh, let me hold my goddaughter." Mac said reaching for the baby.

"Uncle Harm, I gave Ashley my plane but daddy says she's too small." Little AJ said.

"That she is.  But one day she will be big enough." Harm said picking him up.

"So are we ready?" Mrs. Sims said returning to the group. "Commander I will take my grandson."

"If it's okay with you Ma'am, I was going to have little AJ with us at the font." Harm replied.

"Very well." Mrs. Sims said sighing. "I don't know why I even bothered to come.  I am not needed."

"Mother!" Harriet began, "It will be nice for him to be part of his sisters baptism."

"Mrs. Sims, why don't you and Mr. Sims come with me?" Bobbie said trying to help.

"You're the congresswoman aren't you?" Mrs. Sims said. "From Deetroit."

"Yes, ma'am. Pity you're not in my district." Bobbie said with slight sarcasm to which Harriet snickered.

Everyone took their seats; Mac, Harm, Little AJ and Ashley approached the baptismal font.  For a retired Reverend, Sturgis' father was being kept very busy.  Harriet and Bud asked him to perform the baptism and at the end of the month he would be performing a wedding.

THE ROBERTS' HOME

After the baptism they all returned to the Roberts' home for a celebration. 

"Harriet, the house looks lovely, although I don't know if I would have picked those window treatments." Mrs. Sims said.

"Well, it's my house." Harriet said looking to anyone to rescue her.

"We did help." Mrs. Sims reminded her.

"Yes mother, I know.  How could we forget?" Harriet said walking away.

"So Mac, are you ready for your wedding?" Mrs. Sims asked.

"Yes I am.  I am sorry that you and Mr. Sims will not be attending." Mac said as convincingly as possible.

"Well, someone has to stay with Ashley." Mrs. Sims said. "I'm sure your mother will do the same for you when  you have children."

"Actually, I am not very close with my mother." Mac said wondering why she opened that can of worms.

"That will change dear once you give her a grandchild. You do plan on having children?" Mrs. Sims asked.

"Some day." Mac said.

"Well don't wait to long, remember we aren't getting any younger." Mrs. Sims said patting Mac's hand.

"Mother, may I see you inside please?" Harriet asked.

"What is it now Harriet? You wanted me to be gracious to your friends." Mrs. Sims said.

"Mother, when I said be gracious I meant do it by not speaking to them." Harriet groaned.

"Well I never." Mrs. Sims began.

"No mother that's the problem." Harriet interrupted. "You never think."

"I think I'll go sit with your father." Mrs. Sims said. Harriet walked back to her friends.

"Mac I am so sorry." Harriet started.

"Harriet not to worry.  Today is Ashley's day, nothing could or should ruin that." Mac said with a smile.  The rest of the group joined them and they all started chatting.

"Ok so where is this ceremony?" Bud asked.

"Yeah, what's the big secret?" Sturgis asked.

"We want to surprise you that's all." Harm said.

"Harm maybe we should tell them." Mac said.

"No we shouldn't." Harm replied.

"Yes you should." Harriet and Bobbie said together.

"Ok, you win.  We are having the ceremony at Kings Dominion Park." Mac said laughing.

"Very funny." Harriet said.

"No really, we are going to say our vows on the water slide." Harm added.

"Fine be like that." Bud said.

Mac and Harm laughed at their friends.  Ashley was heard crying in the background.

"We'll get her." Bobbie said motioning to Sturgis.

"Has she gotten very maternal lately?" Harm asked joking.

"Yes she has." Mac said. "I think we all have."

Harm fell silent, and smiled to himself.  Three more weeks. Three more weeks. He just kept saying that in his head.

They continued to celebrate the christening of Ashley Beaumont Sims Roberts.  Everyone had a wonderful time even with Harriet's mother there.  She wasn't really all that bad, but she drove Harriet crazy so they were all protective.  As the day turned into night everyone took their leave. 

On the ride home Bobbie and Sturgis attempted to talk about their future.  Both wanting to say something. Neither knowing what to say or how to start. 

Mac and Harm had a quiet ride.  Harm dropped Mac off at her apartment, walked her to the door and kissed her good night.

Three more weeks, he thought as he walked back to his car.  As Mac got ready for bed she looked around the room and thought three more weeks.