Title: 'Traces in the Snow' - Part Two
Author: Daenar
Disclaimer: See Part One
From part one:
He chuckled. "Hold your tongue, Marine, or I won't bring any warm things for you. Okay, see you girls tomorrow then. Uh, Mac?"
["Yeah?"]
"I'm really glad you're coming."
He just loved hearing her smile. ["Thank you so much for asking, Harm."]
"You're welcome. Good night, Marine. Sleep tight."
["You, too,"] she answered softly before ending the connection.
Harm slowly put the receiver down, stood up, and walked over to the window. Slight snowfall had set in, nothing to worry about if it didn't intensify over night. He watched as the light in the courtyard slowly turned milky- white, and a feeling of utmost peace began to grow inside him. Maybe, up at Grandma Sarah's, a terrorized child and two people who normally dreaded Christmastime would get a chance to learn what God's message was about.
Part Two:
Dec. 23rd, 2002 1432 ZULU Union Memorial Hospital Baltimore, MD
"Good morning, Liliana," Mac gleefully greeted the little girl as she entered the room. "Are you ready to leave this place?"
The girl looked up at her, and a radiant smile spread over her face as she nodded eagerly.
"Do you want to know where we're going?"
Again the girl nodded, taking Mac's hand as soon as she sat down at her bedside.
"Well," Mac smiled enigmatically, "Do you know what day tomorrow is?"
Liliana's brow furrowed as she seemed to think. Then she sadly shook her head.
"Tomorrow is Christmas Eve," Mac told her, and her heart jumped when she saw the girl's face light up. But as quickly as the smile had come, it went away and the haunted sadness took over again.
Mac with her free hand gently caressed Liliana's cheek, understanding. "You want to be with your mother for Christmas, don't you?" she asked softly.
The girl nodded, a tear making its way down her cheek.
Mac took a deep breath. She felt she had to know at least that part of the story. "Liliana," she ventured carefully and very gently, "Is your mommy in heaven?"
Sobbing slightly, the girl nodded. Mac found her suspicions proven right. This was at least a part of the child's trauma. Maybe she had even seen her mother die. But they could figure that out later. For now, knowing that the little girl was an orphan was enough. Mac leaned over and drew her into a tight embrace, feeling the child relax after a few minutes. She then gently lowered her back on the pillow.
"Liliana," she began to explain, "Harm, you remember, my best friend..."
The girl nodded, smiling slightly.
"...well, Harm had a wonderful idea the other day. Harm has a very kind grandmother, you know," Mac went on in a 'fairy-tale' voice, "And is going to see her today and stay there for the Christmas holidays. Harm's grandma is called Sarah, like me," she added, seeing Liliana's smile intensify. Encouraged, she went on. "Oh, and Harm's real name is Harmon, Harmon Rabb, just in case you were wondering about his strange name. He's a commander in the navy." Liliana's smile had by now grown to a real one, and she seemed eager for Mac to go on. Mac instantly complied. "Anyway, Harm's grandma lives on a farm, far away from the big cities and the noise. Even the next village is a few miles away. I've never been there, but Harm tells me that it's really beautiful where she lives. There are hills and woods, and right now there might be quite a lot of snow. Have you ever seen what snow looks like?" Mac knew well that Liliana hadn't, but she asked nevertheless.
Liliana shook her head 'no', obviously curious.
"It's rain that high up in the air, where it's very cold, freezes to tiny, tiny crystals and falls down, covering the whole world with a fluffy white blanket. It is really beautiful. There's even a little snow in the streets today but in the big cities it just isn't the same. Would you like to see what it looks like out where Harm's grandma lives?"
Liliana nodded eagerly, a hopeful smile making her eyes sparkle.
"Well," Mac drawled, smiling, wanting to create a little suspense, "Then maybe I should tell you that in thirteen minutes - if he's on time, that is - Harm will come and pick us up from here. First, we'll go into town and buy you some warm clothes, and then, you, me, and Harm, we'll all go up in the hills and stay with his grandma for Christmas. What do you say?"
A sharp intake of breath and a huge radiant beam were her answer. Liliana opened her arms, and Mac gladly let herself be hugged, feeling the little girl's joy touch something inside her.
"So, little lady," Mac then said in a matter-of-fact tone, "Let me braid your hair, and let's get you dressed. I brought you a few things that might fit. But if they don't, don't worry. We'll buy you new things anyway, okay?"
Liliana nodded and let Mac comb and braid her hair into an orderly French braid.
Dec. 23rd, 2002 1847 ZULU JC Penney's Baltimore, MD
Liliana stared into the mirror and didn't seem to recognize herself. She was wearing blue jeans, brown mountain boots with laces, a beautiful dark- red and white Norwegian turtleneck sweater and a white anorak with fur around the hood, not to mention the matching gloves, scarf and earmuffs. Harm and Mac watched, smiling, as the little girl looked herself over and over again, obviously thinking that one person couldn't possibly own as many clothes as had been bought for her today. Harm and Mac hadn't had the slightest intention of spoiling her, but first, they had seen to it that Liliana had a basic wardrobe to chose from. Then, they had just browsed around a bit, enjoying themselves immensely. The girl looked so adorable in just about everything they had picked that they felt they couldn't put the things back. Heck, it was Christmas, the girl had just been through hell and back, and nobody knew exactly for how long she would stay in the States. So why not spoil her a little bit?
Harm knelt down beside Liliana and met her glance in the mirror, smiling. "You know what you look like, Lily?" he asked her, pointing his finger at the reflection. The girl shook her head, a surprised smile indicating that she seemed to like the nickname that Harm had just called her.
"You look like a girl from one of the native peoples that live up far north where there's ice and snow throughout most time of the year," he explained. "People used to call them 'Eskimos' but they don't like that because, in their language, it means 'Those who eat raw meat'. You wouldn't like to be called that, now, would you?"
Smiling frowningly, the girl shook her head.
"Those people call themselves 'Inuit' instead. In their language, that's just 'the people'. Beautiful, isn't it?"
Liliana nodded. Mac watched the exchange between her two friends with emotion rising fast inside her. How on earth did Harm always seem to know just how to talk to kids? If anyone would be able to get her to talk again, she was sure it would be him, and it made her immensely proud.
Harm stood and put a hand on Liliana's shoulder. "So, are you ready to face ice and snow, Lily the Inuit?" he asked her with a grin.
It was then that Harm got his first radiant beam from her; the sparkle in Liliana's black eyes reminded him very much of the sparkle he had so many times detected in another pair of huge dark eyes that were dear to him. Suddenly he again felt that strange shyness within him as Liliana put her small hand in his and dragged him over to where Mac was standing. Harm's glance met with Mac's, and in his blue-green eyes, she read something that, most likely, she would have described as a mixture of frightened awe and joy.
Dec. 23rd, 2002 2311 ZULU Rabb Farm Outside Beallsville, PA
It was already dark when Harm finally steered his SUV in front of the white old-fashioned farmhouse and stepped on the brakes. Mac, who had chosen to sit in the back next to Liliana, gently shook the girl, who had fallen asleep during the long ride. Harm cast a glance in the rear mirror and caught Mac's smile. He was almost sorry to break the spell now. They had ridden in silence, almost all the time since Liliana had drifted off, leaning against Mac's shoulder. The farther up in the hills they got, the more snow piled up high along the roadside, making the tree branches hang low with the weight. Around sunset the weather had cleared, and the sky had changed color ever so slightly, the soft light reflecting on the sparkling fresh snow. It was a pastel-colored reminder of what a summer sunset could be, enchanting both of them. Neither had felt inclined to break the silence. Now and then they had exchanged a smile in the rear mirror, enjoying each other's quiet company and allowing the season's peace to fill their minds.
With a sigh, Harm opened the door and got out of the car, stretching his 6'4 frame. Mac gently helped Liliana out of the car, and the girl's eyes immediately went wide with surprise at the scenery, which looked as if it were thickly covered with the icing of one of her mother's cakes. All three turned their heads when they heard a door creaking. A woman, approximately a head shorter than Mac, came walking towards them from the house.
Mac felt her stomach tighten slightly. She hadn't yet met any of Harm's family, and although she kept asking herself just why it mattered that much to her if his grandmother would like her, she felt her smile take on a decidedly self-conscious nuance.
"Harmon!" the woman exclaimed, immediately drawing him into a tight bear hug although her eyes were only about the same level as his gold wings would have been had he been in uniform. Mac observed her closely. She had to be in her mid-eighties, she estimated. She was slender and wore blue jeans and a lumberjack shirt that stood in stark contrast to the old- fashioned bun that she kept her white hair pinned up in. She seemed resolute and strong and yet fragile at the same time. But what startled Mac, in spite of the darkness, were her eyes - the very same ones that she was always in danger of losing herself in when looking at her partner.
"Hi Gram," Harm said in a low, happy voice that held a 'Finally-I'm-home' undertone Mac had never heard in all the years that she'd known him. Somehow this made her fear grow. She subconsciously stepped closer to the awed Liliana and put her arm around her shoulders.
"It's been too long, boy," his grandmother mockingly scolded Harm as she drew back. "But," her smile returned, "You can make up for it and present your girls." With that she turned to Mac and Liliana, her warm smile starting to make Mac's fear dissipate.
Harm's grin was almost proud as he stepped over and, without thinking, put his arm around Mac, making her jump slightly. "Gram, this is Mac. And this is Liliana," he added casting the girl a smile and at once getting one in return.
Sarah Rabb took in the scene, silently taking note of the feelings displayed on each party's faces. 'Promising start,' she contently stated to herself before approaching her grandson's company.
"Mac, Liliana," Harm turned to 'his' girls, "This is my Grandma Sarah."
"I'm very pleased to meet you, ma'am. Harm's told me a lot about you," Mac greeted her shyly as she shook the old woman's hand.
"The pleasure's all mine, dear," Grandma Sarah answered, "You are all my grandson ever talks about." That remark somehow made Harm study his feet. Mac cleared her throat in confusion, and Liliana smiled broadly at the old woman. Grandma Sarah returned the grin and winked, then looked back up and again met Mac's glance. "And, please, don't call me ma'am. Everyone calls me Gram." She smiled kindly at the younger woman, who was obviously still a little embarrassed.
Mac found the old woman's smile contagious. It was different from Harm's, to be sure, but the eyes were the same, and she at once felt very much at home. Smiling herself, she answered. "Okay... Gram. You can call me Sarah if you like."
Harm's head immediately turned in her direction, a puzzled expression on his face. He had never heard Mac invite anyone to call her Sarah of her own free will. Grandma Sarah sensed the tension and decided to step in. 'Good Lord, if all of their six years were like that, I'm amazed that JAG hasn't burnt down yet from all the sparks that fly between them,' she mused, inwardly chuckling. Bending down to the girl, Grandma Sarah extended her hand to Liliana who shyly took it. "Hi Liliana, it's nice to meet you."
The girl actually curtsied, making Harm and Mac stifle grins. Grandma Sarah put her hands on her hips in mock indignation. "Upon my word, this isn't Buckingham Palace, my dear. Let me show you how we greet each other properly out here." With those words she swept the girl into a tight hug and after a few seconds felt her return it. "That's better," Grandma Sarah stated with a content nod. "And you, too, call me Gram, okay?" she added, ignoring that the girl hadn't said a word yet.
Liliana smiled at her and then, very low, answered. "Call me Lily."
Harm felt Mac grab his hand and returned the squeeze. Trying to hide his own inner turmoil that he felt at hearing the girl's clear voice and sweet Asian accent, he reassuringly whispered: "I told you it would do her good. I don't know how she does it but Gram works miracles."
Mac looked up at him with a misty smile, remembering his exchange with the girl in front of the mirror. "In fact, I think you do know, Harm," she replied softly.
Dec. 24th, 2002 0203 ZULU Rabb Farm Outside Beallsville, PA
The night had turned crisply cold and the stars shone beautifully above the clearing the farmhouse stood on, surrounded by woods. All was deeply snowed in; the ice crystals sparkled in the moonlight. Harm zipped up his anorak and cautiously stepped up to the little figure that was silently sitting on the steps that led up to the front porch.
Liliana turned her head and smiled, which Harm took as an invitation to join her. She still didn't speak very much, but he and Mac felt very much inclined to take her few words for more than they had ever expected for today. "Hi," he simply said. She only smiled back.
"It's time for bed, you know, Lily," Harm carefully began, only to find himself immediately wrapped around her finger as she turned her pleading eyes up to him. 'Oh my, this could get interesting if I ever have kids,' he inwardly groaned. "Okay, we'll stay another ten minutes, but then we go in. Deal?" he asked, silently imploring her not to use that puppy-dog look again. Thankfully she didn't but simply acknowledged with a smiling nod.
They sat in silence for a couple of minutes, taking in the beauty and the peace of their surroundings. Then Liliana looked up at the stars. "She's up there," she murmured.
Harm looked at her. "Who, your mommy?"
She nodded, never taking her eyes from the sky.
"My daddy is up there, too," Harm said softly, following the direction of her gaze, knowing that she'd probably look at him right now.
"Your daddy?"
Harm lowered his glance to face Liliana's huge black eyes. "Yes. He died when I was six years old. His plane was shot down. On Christmas Eve," he added very low, more to himself than to her, realizing he would miss his encounter with his father at the Wall this year. Strange that he hadn't thought about it earlier.
"I'm ten."
"Then you're a big girl, Lily."
"No." Her voice was very low and sad. He sensed that he had touched a nerve.
"You mean, you weren't big enough to help your mommy?" he tried carefully.
Starting to sniffle a little, she nodded. Harm put an arm around her and pulled her close. "For a long time, I didn't know what happened to my dad," he told her, "And I always tried to find out. I was thirty-four when I finally learned that he was dead. I had always thought that I could have helped him, but that wasn't true. Sometimes things happen, and we can't do anything about it. So, do you know what I do now instead of thinking what if?"
Liliana earnestly looked at him and waited.
"I try to protect those that I care about most. Because that's a thing that I actually can do something about," he explained.
"Like Mac?"
He grinned, looking down, just a little embarrassed. 'Kids. Just wait a little and they'll surely figure you out.' "Yeah, for example. I wouldn't want anything to happen to her. But you, too, Lily," he added, looking up again, "And Gram."
"How?"
"Oh, you can do a lot of things. I'm in the military, so I protect and defend our country. And I'm a lawyer - that means I protect and defend what's right. And I'm a friend. So I always try to be there when my friends need me."
Liliana looked at him, a little lost. "What can I do?"
"For Mac?" Harm asked.
"Huh humm."
"You could pray and ask God to watch out for her. You could ask him to send her an angel."
"You can't see angels," she stated sadly.
"Yes, you can," he answered, earning himself a surprised glance. "Come on, I'll show you."
Harm stood up and took Liliana's hand. Together they descended the steps and walked a few feet away from the house, into the virgin snow. "Watch me," Harm told the girl as he lay down on his back in the snow as if standing at attention. He then slowly moved his outstretched arms up sideways until they met over his head and brought them down again, repeating the whole movement over and over. Then he carefully opened and closed his outstretched legs several times. Finally he got up and cautiously stepped out of the picture he had painted in the snow. "What do you see, Lily?" he gently asked her, brushing the snow off his sleeves.
"An angel," she whispered in awe. Then she went off a few yards and lay down herself. Repeating the same movements that Harm had just shown her, she drew another little angel in the snow. Getting up, she took a few steps in the direction of the house and lay down again. Always nearing the house, Liliana drew ever more angels in the snow until she reached the porch. Harm followed close by.
On the porch they were greeted by Mac, who had come out to usher them inside but had stopped short and watched them instead. Liliana stepped up to her with a content smile. "Now you are safe," she simply stated and went inside.
"She called an army of angels to protect you, Mac," Harm explained in a somewhat shaky voice.
"I know," she replied, embracing him tightly. "But I feel I need no one else to look after me as long as you're close by."
To be continued... (Feedback always appreciated!)
From part one:
He chuckled. "Hold your tongue, Marine, or I won't bring any warm things for you. Okay, see you girls tomorrow then. Uh, Mac?"
["Yeah?"]
"I'm really glad you're coming."
He just loved hearing her smile. ["Thank you so much for asking, Harm."]
"You're welcome. Good night, Marine. Sleep tight."
["You, too,"] she answered softly before ending the connection.
Harm slowly put the receiver down, stood up, and walked over to the window. Slight snowfall had set in, nothing to worry about if it didn't intensify over night. He watched as the light in the courtyard slowly turned milky- white, and a feeling of utmost peace began to grow inside him. Maybe, up at Grandma Sarah's, a terrorized child and two people who normally dreaded Christmastime would get a chance to learn what God's message was about.
Part Two:
Dec. 23rd, 2002 1432 ZULU Union Memorial Hospital Baltimore, MD
"Good morning, Liliana," Mac gleefully greeted the little girl as she entered the room. "Are you ready to leave this place?"
The girl looked up at her, and a radiant smile spread over her face as she nodded eagerly.
"Do you want to know where we're going?"
Again the girl nodded, taking Mac's hand as soon as she sat down at her bedside.
"Well," Mac smiled enigmatically, "Do you know what day tomorrow is?"
Liliana's brow furrowed as she seemed to think. Then she sadly shook her head.
"Tomorrow is Christmas Eve," Mac told her, and her heart jumped when she saw the girl's face light up. But as quickly as the smile had come, it went away and the haunted sadness took over again.
Mac with her free hand gently caressed Liliana's cheek, understanding. "You want to be with your mother for Christmas, don't you?" she asked softly.
The girl nodded, a tear making its way down her cheek.
Mac took a deep breath. She felt she had to know at least that part of the story. "Liliana," she ventured carefully and very gently, "Is your mommy in heaven?"
Sobbing slightly, the girl nodded. Mac found her suspicions proven right. This was at least a part of the child's trauma. Maybe she had even seen her mother die. But they could figure that out later. For now, knowing that the little girl was an orphan was enough. Mac leaned over and drew her into a tight embrace, feeling the child relax after a few minutes. She then gently lowered her back on the pillow.
"Liliana," she began to explain, "Harm, you remember, my best friend..."
The girl nodded, smiling slightly.
"...well, Harm had a wonderful idea the other day. Harm has a very kind grandmother, you know," Mac went on in a 'fairy-tale' voice, "And is going to see her today and stay there for the Christmas holidays. Harm's grandma is called Sarah, like me," she added, seeing Liliana's smile intensify. Encouraged, she went on. "Oh, and Harm's real name is Harmon, Harmon Rabb, just in case you were wondering about his strange name. He's a commander in the navy." Liliana's smile had by now grown to a real one, and she seemed eager for Mac to go on. Mac instantly complied. "Anyway, Harm's grandma lives on a farm, far away from the big cities and the noise. Even the next village is a few miles away. I've never been there, but Harm tells me that it's really beautiful where she lives. There are hills and woods, and right now there might be quite a lot of snow. Have you ever seen what snow looks like?" Mac knew well that Liliana hadn't, but she asked nevertheless.
Liliana shook her head 'no', obviously curious.
"It's rain that high up in the air, where it's very cold, freezes to tiny, tiny crystals and falls down, covering the whole world with a fluffy white blanket. It is really beautiful. There's even a little snow in the streets today but in the big cities it just isn't the same. Would you like to see what it looks like out where Harm's grandma lives?"
Liliana nodded eagerly, a hopeful smile making her eyes sparkle.
"Well," Mac drawled, smiling, wanting to create a little suspense, "Then maybe I should tell you that in thirteen minutes - if he's on time, that is - Harm will come and pick us up from here. First, we'll go into town and buy you some warm clothes, and then, you, me, and Harm, we'll all go up in the hills and stay with his grandma for Christmas. What do you say?"
A sharp intake of breath and a huge radiant beam were her answer. Liliana opened her arms, and Mac gladly let herself be hugged, feeling the little girl's joy touch something inside her.
"So, little lady," Mac then said in a matter-of-fact tone, "Let me braid your hair, and let's get you dressed. I brought you a few things that might fit. But if they don't, don't worry. We'll buy you new things anyway, okay?"
Liliana nodded and let Mac comb and braid her hair into an orderly French braid.
Dec. 23rd, 2002 1847 ZULU JC Penney's Baltimore, MD
Liliana stared into the mirror and didn't seem to recognize herself. She was wearing blue jeans, brown mountain boots with laces, a beautiful dark- red and white Norwegian turtleneck sweater and a white anorak with fur around the hood, not to mention the matching gloves, scarf and earmuffs. Harm and Mac watched, smiling, as the little girl looked herself over and over again, obviously thinking that one person couldn't possibly own as many clothes as had been bought for her today. Harm and Mac hadn't had the slightest intention of spoiling her, but first, they had seen to it that Liliana had a basic wardrobe to chose from. Then, they had just browsed around a bit, enjoying themselves immensely. The girl looked so adorable in just about everything they had picked that they felt they couldn't put the things back. Heck, it was Christmas, the girl had just been through hell and back, and nobody knew exactly for how long she would stay in the States. So why not spoil her a little bit?
Harm knelt down beside Liliana and met her glance in the mirror, smiling. "You know what you look like, Lily?" he asked her, pointing his finger at the reflection. The girl shook her head, a surprised smile indicating that she seemed to like the nickname that Harm had just called her.
"You look like a girl from one of the native peoples that live up far north where there's ice and snow throughout most time of the year," he explained. "People used to call them 'Eskimos' but they don't like that because, in their language, it means 'Those who eat raw meat'. You wouldn't like to be called that, now, would you?"
Smiling frowningly, the girl shook her head.
"Those people call themselves 'Inuit' instead. In their language, that's just 'the people'. Beautiful, isn't it?"
Liliana nodded. Mac watched the exchange between her two friends with emotion rising fast inside her. How on earth did Harm always seem to know just how to talk to kids? If anyone would be able to get her to talk again, she was sure it would be him, and it made her immensely proud.
Harm stood and put a hand on Liliana's shoulder. "So, are you ready to face ice and snow, Lily the Inuit?" he asked her with a grin.
It was then that Harm got his first radiant beam from her; the sparkle in Liliana's black eyes reminded him very much of the sparkle he had so many times detected in another pair of huge dark eyes that were dear to him. Suddenly he again felt that strange shyness within him as Liliana put her small hand in his and dragged him over to where Mac was standing. Harm's glance met with Mac's, and in his blue-green eyes, she read something that, most likely, she would have described as a mixture of frightened awe and joy.
Dec. 23rd, 2002 2311 ZULU Rabb Farm Outside Beallsville, PA
It was already dark when Harm finally steered his SUV in front of the white old-fashioned farmhouse and stepped on the brakes. Mac, who had chosen to sit in the back next to Liliana, gently shook the girl, who had fallen asleep during the long ride. Harm cast a glance in the rear mirror and caught Mac's smile. He was almost sorry to break the spell now. They had ridden in silence, almost all the time since Liliana had drifted off, leaning against Mac's shoulder. The farther up in the hills they got, the more snow piled up high along the roadside, making the tree branches hang low with the weight. Around sunset the weather had cleared, and the sky had changed color ever so slightly, the soft light reflecting on the sparkling fresh snow. It was a pastel-colored reminder of what a summer sunset could be, enchanting both of them. Neither had felt inclined to break the silence. Now and then they had exchanged a smile in the rear mirror, enjoying each other's quiet company and allowing the season's peace to fill their minds.
With a sigh, Harm opened the door and got out of the car, stretching his 6'4 frame. Mac gently helped Liliana out of the car, and the girl's eyes immediately went wide with surprise at the scenery, which looked as if it were thickly covered with the icing of one of her mother's cakes. All three turned their heads when they heard a door creaking. A woman, approximately a head shorter than Mac, came walking towards them from the house.
Mac felt her stomach tighten slightly. She hadn't yet met any of Harm's family, and although she kept asking herself just why it mattered that much to her if his grandmother would like her, she felt her smile take on a decidedly self-conscious nuance.
"Harmon!" the woman exclaimed, immediately drawing him into a tight bear hug although her eyes were only about the same level as his gold wings would have been had he been in uniform. Mac observed her closely. She had to be in her mid-eighties, she estimated. She was slender and wore blue jeans and a lumberjack shirt that stood in stark contrast to the old- fashioned bun that she kept her white hair pinned up in. She seemed resolute and strong and yet fragile at the same time. But what startled Mac, in spite of the darkness, were her eyes - the very same ones that she was always in danger of losing herself in when looking at her partner.
"Hi Gram," Harm said in a low, happy voice that held a 'Finally-I'm-home' undertone Mac had never heard in all the years that she'd known him. Somehow this made her fear grow. She subconsciously stepped closer to the awed Liliana and put her arm around her shoulders.
"It's been too long, boy," his grandmother mockingly scolded Harm as she drew back. "But," her smile returned, "You can make up for it and present your girls." With that she turned to Mac and Liliana, her warm smile starting to make Mac's fear dissipate.
Harm's grin was almost proud as he stepped over and, without thinking, put his arm around Mac, making her jump slightly. "Gram, this is Mac. And this is Liliana," he added casting the girl a smile and at once getting one in return.
Sarah Rabb took in the scene, silently taking note of the feelings displayed on each party's faces. 'Promising start,' she contently stated to herself before approaching her grandson's company.
"Mac, Liliana," Harm turned to 'his' girls, "This is my Grandma Sarah."
"I'm very pleased to meet you, ma'am. Harm's told me a lot about you," Mac greeted her shyly as she shook the old woman's hand.
"The pleasure's all mine, dear," Grandma Sarah answered, "You are all my grandson ever talks about." That remark somehow made Harm study his feet. Mac cleared her throat in confusion, and Liliana smiled broadly at the old woman. Grandma Sarah returned the grin and winked, then looked back up and again met Mac's glance. "And, please, don't call me ma'am. Everyone calls me Gram." She smiled kindly at the younger woman, who was obviously still a little embarrassed.
Mac found the old woman's smile contagious. It was different from Harm's, to be sure, but the eyes were the same, and she at once felt very much at home. Smiling herself, she answered. "Okay... Gram. You can call me Sarah if you like."
Harm's head immediately turned in her direction, a puzzled expression on his face. He had never heard Mac invite anyone to call her Sarah of her own free will. Grandma Sarah sensed the tension and decided to step in. 'Good Lord, if all of their six years were like that, I'm amazed that JAG hasn't burnt down yet from all the sparks that fly between them,' she mused, inwardly chuckling. Bending down to the girl, Grandma Sarah extended her hand to Liliana who shyly took it. "Hi Liliana, it's nice to meet you."
The girl actually curtsied, making Harm and Mac stifle grins. Grandma Sarah put her hands on her hips in mock indignation. "Upon my word, this isn't Buckingham Palace, my dear. Let me show you how we greet each other properly out here." With those words she swept the girl into a tight hug and after a few seconds felt her return it. "That's better," Grandma Sarah stated with a content nod. "And you, too, call me Gram, okay?" she added, ignoring that the girl hadn't said a word yet.
Liliana smiled at her and then, very low, answered. "Call me Lily."
Harm felt Mac grab his hand and returned the squeeze. Trying to hide his own inner turmoil that he felt at hearing the girl's clear voice and sweet Asian accent, he reassuringly whispered: "I told you it would do her good. I don't know how she does it but Gram works miracles."
Mac looked up at him with a misty smile, remembering his exchange with the girl in front of the mirror. "In fact, I think you do know, Harm," she replied softly.
Dec. 24th, 2002 0203 ZULU Rabb Farm Outside Beallsville, PA
The night had turned crisply cold and the stars shone beautifully above the clearing the farmhouse stood on, surrounded by woods. All was deeply snowed in; the ice crystals sparkled in the moonlight. Harm zipped up his anorak and cautiously stepped up to the little figure that was silently sitting on the steps that led up to the front porch.
Liliana turned her head and smiled, which Harm took as an invitation to join her. She still didn't speak very much, but he and Mac felt very much inclined to take her few words for more than they had ever expected for today. "Hi," he simply said. She only smiled back.
"It's time for bed, you know, Lily," Harm carefully began, only to find himself immediately wrapped around her finger as she turned her pleading eyes up to him. 'Oh my, this could get interesting if I ever have kids,' he inwardly groaned. "Okay, we'll stay another ten minutes, but then we go in. Deal?" he asked, silently imploring her not to use that puppy-dog look again. Thankfully she didn't but simply acknowledged with a smiling nod.
They sat in silence for a couple of minutes, taking in the beauty and the peace of their surroundings. Then Liliana looked up at the stars. "She's up there," she murmured.
Harm looked at her. "Who, your mommy?"
She nodded, never taking her eyes from the sky.
"My daddy is up there, too," Harm said softly, following the direction of her gaze, knowing that she'd probably look at him right now.
"Your daddy?"
Harm lowered his glance to face Liliana's huge black eyes. "Yes. He died when I was six years old. His plane was shot down. On Christmas Eve," he added very low, more to himself than to her, realizing he would miss his encounter with his father at the Wall this year. Strange that he hadn't thought about it earlier.
"I'm ten."
"Then you're a big girl, Lily."
"No." Her voice was very low and sad. He sensed that he had touched a nerve.
"You mean, you weren't big enough to help your mommy?" he tried carefully.
Starting to sniffle a little, she nodded. Harm put an arm around her and pulled her close. "For a long time, I didn't know what happened to my dad," he told her, "And I always tried to find out. I was thirty-four when I finally learned that he was dead. I had always thought that I could have helped him, but that wasn't true. Sometimes things happen, and we can't do anything about it. So, do you know what I do now instead of thinking what if?"
Liliana earnestly looked at him and waited.
"I try to protect those that I care about most. Because that's a thing that I actually can do something about," he explained.
"Like Mac?"
He grinned, looking down, just a little embarrassed. 'Kids. Just wait a little and they'll surely figure you out.' "Yeah, for example. I wouldn't want anything to happen to her. But you, too, Lily," he added, looking up again, "And Gram."
"How?"
"Oh, you can do a lot of things. I'm in the military, so I protect and defend our country. And I'm a lawyer - that means I protect and defend what's right. And I'm a friend. So I always try to be there when my friends need me."
Liliana looked at him, a little lost. "What can I do?"
"For Mac?" Harm asked.
"Huh humm."
"You could pray and ask God to watch out for her. You could ask him to send her an angel."
"You can't see angels," she stated sadly.
"Yes, you can," he answered, earning himself a surprised glance. "Come on, I'll show you."
Harm stood up and took Liliana's hand. Together they descended the steps and walked a few feet away from the house, into the virgin snow. "Watch me," Harm told the girl as he lay down on his back in the snow as if standing at attention. He then slowly moved his outstretched arms up sideways until they met over his head and brought them down again, repeating the whole movement over and over. Then he carefully opened and closed his outstretched legs several times. Finally he got up and cautiously stepped out of the picture he had painted in the snow. "What do you see, Lily?" he gently asked her, brushing the snow off his sleeves.
"An angel," she whispered in awe. Then she went off a few yards and lay down herself. Repeating the same movements that Harm had just shown her, she drew another little angel in the snow. Getting up, she took a few steps in the direction of the house and lay down again. Always nearing the house, Liliana drew ever more angels in the snow until she reached the porch. Harm followed close by.
On the porch they were greeted by Mac, who had come out to usher them inside but had stopped short and watched them instead. Liliana stepped up to her with a content smile. "Now you are safe," she simply stated and went inside.
"She called an army of angels to protect you, Mac," Harm explained in a somewhat shaky voice.
"I know," she replied, embracing him tightly. "But I feel I need no one else to look after me as long as you're close by."
To be continued... (Feedback always appreciated!)