Author: xfool
Title: The Arms of an Angel
Disclaimer: Is this really necessary? We all know what I'm about to say…sheesh…
Author Note(s): Okay folks, here's the last chapter! All of your reviews have been wonderful…Thank you so much! Again, I apologize for how the previous chapter uploaded. Now I will return to the last installment of "Dangerous Game"
The Arms of an Angel
*****takes place two months after the wedding…around Christmas*****
Spend all your time waiting for that second chance for a break that would make it okay…
A very pregnant Mac slowly made her way out of the bedroom, heading for the kitchen. She hated being this fat, but also loved it. Irony can be such a bitch. Letting her nose guide her, she found her husband making eggs and toast.
She slowly sat at the table. "Where's the beef?"
His back was to her but she knew that he was smiling. "You know that you aren't allowed dead animals…or caffeine," he said as he placed two pieces of wheat toast and a good helping of scrambled eggs in front of her.
She wrinkled her nose, "Wheat toast? Come one flyboy, I know that I can eat white bread."
"Sorry, that's all we had left."
She sighed, as she did every morning. "Okay."
After breakfast the two made their way to the couch and snuggled up, her head on his shoulder and his arm around her.
There's always one reason to feel not good enough, and it's hard at the end of the day...I need some distraction, oh beautiful release… Memory seeps from my veins…let me be empty and weightless and maybe…
"What are you thinking?"
"That I want to know what this child looks like," she replied.
"At least we know the name," he pointed out.
Both had decided to find out the gender of the baby. And both were ecstatic to find out that they were having a little girl, to be named Piper Katharine. Harm's mom was flying out to be with them in a few days and Frank would follow shortly after.
The admiral, relieved that his two best officers finally realized they were in love, allowed Harm to stay home with Mac as long as Harm appeared in court when necessary.
Mac was home, after being ordered to bed rest to prevent complications.
Harm noticed that she was asleep, and gently covered her with a blanket before he went onto the home office to get some work done. Bud, Sturgis, Keeter, Bobbi, Harriet, the admiral and Webb were coming over later to finish the nursery, and to hear the name Harm and Mac chose.
I'll find some peace tonight…in the arms of an angel…fly away from here…from this dark cold hotel room…and the endlessness that you fear…you are pulled from the wreckage of your silent reverie…you're in the arms of the angel…may you find some comfort there…
Mac woke up, minutes before everyone was supposed to arrive. She was splashing cold water on her face when the doorbell rang. When she was done freshening up, everyone had arrived and pizza was on the table.
"Out of the way…hungry marine coming through. I suggest you move or meet my foot."
Everyone laughed. When the pizza was done, they all headed to the nursery to finish putting together the furniture. Mac placed herself in the glider rocker, instructing where everything should go. When everything was finished and everyone gone, Harm and Mac went to bed.
So tired of the straight line and everywhere you turn there's vultures and thieves at your back…and the storm keeps on twisting…you keep on building the lie… that you make up for all that you lack…it don't make no difference…escaping one last time…
Harm woke to the sounds of Bing Crosby. He rolled over and noticed that she wasn't there, that her side of the bed was cold. He yawned and sleepily made his way to the nursery, where he knew to find her. She went there to think, she claimed. And that's where he found her, looking out the large window and watching the snow fall. He took in the scene. He felt at peace.
"Merry Christmas, Sarah," he said. Then he leaned down to her protruding belly, "Merry Christmas Piper."
She smiled. Mac loved it when he talked to their daughter. "Merry Christmas Harm."
He wrapped his arms around her. "Mmmm…what time will everyone be here?"
"1400 or so."
"So that gives us…"
"Five hours, twelve minutes and thirty-six seconds."
"You will tell me how you do that…I'll make sure of it."
They stood there for a minute, watching the snow. Harm broke the silence. "Alright Mom. Get dressed while I light a fire and then you have to be on the couch, you know the rules."
She pretended to pout, but kissed him instead. "Will you join me on the couch later?"
"How can I resist?"
When both were situated comfortably on the couch, Harm covered them with a blanket and Mac quickly fell asleep. He sat there, holding her…noticing how she looked so angelic, so at peace when she was sleeping…and wondering about Piper. His thoughts were interrupted when Bud and Harriet let themselves in, followed by Mikey who was carrying a sleeping Little AJ. Sturgis and Bobbi were next, followed by Tiner and Gunny who were carrying a tree. The Admiral was the last to arrive, bringing some decorations for the tree. The guys set up the tree just as Mac woke up.
Together, they all trimmed the tree like a family and sat around the fire, laughing and joking. Little AJ woke up then and asked in all innocence, "Mommy? Is it time for presents?"
The adults chuckled and presents were handed out. Just as Harm was cleaning the last of the paper on the floor, the doorbell rang. "I'll get it," said Mac.
She returned moments later with Webb and someone that Harm instantly recognized.
"Sergi…"
"Yes brother, it is me."
"But how?"
Mac and Webb looked at each other. Clay cleared his throat, "Mac helped us. She created false intellingence that we then gave to the Chechens in exchange for your brother's release."
Harm turned to Mac. The tears in his eyes expressed his feelings.
She smiled, "Surprise."
Harm started to walk to her when she fell back into the admiral's surprised arms, holding her he said, "Harm, call an ambulance. Do I have to make that and order?"
"No sir!"
It's easier to believe in this sweet madness oh this glorious sadness that brings me to my knees…in the arms of an angel…fly away from here…
Mac was rushed into the ER, Harm never leaving her side. The doctors quickly assessed her condition and came to one conclusion. The doctor turned to Harm, "We need to perform and emergency C-Section. I'll let you notify your family, but if you want to be in there with her you only have ten minutes."
"Okay, I will be right back."
Harm left the room and went to break the news to everyone. Their reactions were immediate shock, and Harriet instantly clung to Bud, remembering their own daughter. The admiral said he would call Trish and Frank and then meet him on the maternity floor.
From this dark cold hotel room…and the endlessness that you fear…you are pulled from the wreckage…of your silent reverie…you're in the arms of the angel…
Mac woke hours later. She saw Harm sleeping in the chair next to her bed, still in the scrubs from the OR. He woke then and smiled. Leaning over her, he gently kissed her head.
"How are you feeling?"
"Tired, sore…"
He knew what she was going to ask next. "Piper is fine. They have her in the Neonatal unit. The nurses tell me that she is quite the screamer. If all is good, we can go home by New Year's."
Trish poked her head in the door and seeing as Mac was awake, she motioned for everyone else to come in. Last to arrive was the little guest of honor, carried by a nurse. The nurse handed her to Mac, who started crying along with Harm, as everyone else started to sing "Happy Birthday" followed by "What Child Is This?". Piper fell asleep in the comfort of her mother's arms, blanketed in the warming look of her father, and the love filling the room. Harm and Mac didn't notice everyone leaving the room, they just concentrated on their daughter.
"I love you Mac."
"I love you, too. I never thought I could be so happy. Piper is our miracle, the greatest Christmas present I could have ever hoped for."
"I know, and just think that around this time next year we will be celebrating her first birthday and possibly another new Rabb."
She smiled, "Maybe. It's something to work on."
May you find some comfort there…you're in the arms of the angel…May you find some comfort here…
A/N --- I know...sappy…but they had to have the baby. I realize that some things in this story are wrong, like the whole thing with Piper, but I am not a doctor…and this is purely fictitious, so there! Let me know if I should continue this or not! Thanks for reading.