Chapter 12.
1300 ZULU
ROSELAKE HOTEL
Harm stood under the arch where Jack had stood a few months earlier, Bud at his side, ready to take the woman he loved as his wife. He was nervous but he was also extremely happy, it was something he had been waiting for for years and it felt so right. He looked at Bud who had a grin on his face.
"Would you like to share Lieutenant?" he asked.
"No sir, sorry sir." he replied.
The music started and Harm turned around to see Sydney walk down the aisle first, then Harriet who flashed a beautiful smile at Bud before going over to her daughter and son who Trish was playing with, and then Courteney and Chloe who walked together hand in hand drawing lots of smiles from the huge number of guests that had attended. They all looked beautiful.
Harm turned around completely as he saw Mac's approach down the aisle, she looked stunning and gave him a big smile as she walked towards him, neither could believe the day was really here.
"Two women in a matter of months sir." Mac commented to A.J quietly regarding his giving both her and Courteney away as they were walking down the aisle towards the love of her life. "Any chance you're gonna make that a third? well you know except for your being at the other end of the aisle?" she asked rgarding Sydney.
"We'll see." he whispered beaming at Sydney as they walked past.
Mac looked at Harms face, she couldn't take hre eyes off him as she made her way down the aisle, nor he her. He was truly the love of her life and while it already seemed as if they were
one she couldn't wait to have their relationship blessed by God, to be Mrs Harmon Rabb Jr.
She finally reached the arch, still covered with red roses as was the path and looked deep into Harms eyes.
" I love you." she mouthed befoer the ceremony started.
"Love you too." he mouthed back, turning towards the minister who would make their dream come true.
1400 ZULU
ROSELAKE HOTEL.
It was official Harm and Mac were now man and wife. They had walked through the Arch Of Steel half an hour ago as Mr and Mrs Harmon Rabb Jr and it was obvious to all they couldn't be happier, they hadn't taken their hands off each other since the ceremony had ended. It was now time for speeches.
Bud hit a glass and stood up clearing his throat.
"As best man I figure I kinda have a duty to make a speech here regarding the Colonel and Commander and their finally seeing the light." he told the guests making them laugh.
He turned towards them. "Commander, Colonel...you have been good friends to Harriet and I, you're the god parents to both four children and you have always been there if we needed advice or an emotional pick up... What you haven't always been good at though is realising your feelings...I guess that's why it took you so long to get here but you did in the end and for that we are happy, and you obviously are. I'm sure I'm reflecting everyone's feelings when I say that you deserve to be happy. As people and Naval officers...well a Naval officer and a Marine you have both been through a lot, many of us here have, but through that your relationship has always seemed a constant, a source of strength and comfort. Things haven't been easy lately Sir, Ma'am but you got here in the end, lifes path leading you two each other and each others hearts and I speak for all of us when I say I'm sure you'll spend eternity together. Your love is clear for us all to see today and has been for years, I'm sure with it you will withstand anything that may surface to try and knock you down...you are soulmates and I wish you every happiness... you deserve it." he finished sitting down, Harriet giving him a big kiss. "Colonel I believe you want the microphone?" he asked handing to her, Harm looking at her puzzled.
Mac got out of her chair and looked around at the guests.
"I guess you're all wondering why the bride is getting up to make a speech it being unusual and all but there are a couple of things I'd like to say. First of all I'd like to thank all of you for coming. I guess over the years it must have got a bit annoying being around us seeing as many of you figured out the way we felt about each other even before we did, for tha, for putting up with us I thank you all. Secondly I would like to say to my darling husband here Harmon Rabb Jr that you baby are my world." she told him turning to face him. "You have been there for me when no one else was, many of you here have and I love you so much for it. You have made me the happiest woman alive sailor and for that I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart." she told him stroking his face "I also want to tell you this..." she said taking his hand in hers and kissing it.
A.J looked at Sydney who was smiling then at the others at the table who were doing the same, Chloe obviously trying very hard not to giggle.
"Mac?" Harm asked puzzled getting out of his chair to stand beside her.
"We're going to have a baby." she whispered softly into his ear.
"You're pregnant? what...?when...?" he whispered back leaving the guests confused.
"Sydney confirmed it this morning. Our baby was probably conceived on Courteneys wedding night, here in this hotel." she replied smiling.
"We're going to have a baby?" Harm repeated a smile growing on his face a little louder this time so all the guests at the main table heard.
"Yes we are." Mac beamed putting his hand on her stomach.
"Sarah Catherine Mackenzie-Rabb I love you." he told her lifting up her chin with his spare hand and giving her a long and tender kiss.
"I love you too flyboy." she replied as he wrapped his arms around her waist, one hand rubbing her stomach before turning to the guests and shouting overjoyed "we're going to have a
baby." causing the marquee to erupt in cheers and claps, Trish running over to her son and new daughter in law who she already adored to congratualte them, Chloe, Bud carrying baby Sarah Mae, Harriet with baby A.J, A.J, Courteney, Jack and Sydney doing the same, happy that their friends wishes had come true.
1530 ZULU
RABB RESIDENCE
ONE MONTH LATER
Harmon Rabb left the back yard and with it his guests who had all come around for a housewarming barbeque in the midst of a heatwave at his and Macs new three bedroomed house. He was in the process of preparing the food when he realised he had thoughtfully left half of it in the kitchen and so had left Bud and Harriet playing with their two children, A.J playing catch with Courteney and Jack talking with Sydney, Harm's mother and her husband Frank while he partook on a retrieval mission.
Harm entered the kitchen to see Mac, who had left the backyard in quite a hurry a few minutes previously enter the kitchen, her face pale in conrtast with the stunning red top she was wearing.
"You okay hon?" Harm asked her concerned.
"Fine." she patted her stomach tenderly and gently hauled herself up onto the kitchen counter in front of him "Junior here is just giving me a bout of morning sickness, no biggie." she smiled.
Harm walked over to his wife and took her hands in his. "You sure you're okay? I mean it is three in the afternoon." he said tenderly, his blue green eyes full of concern.
"I'm fine." she reassured him stroking his cheek "You know I heard morning sickness was pretty common even if it doesn't just occur in the morning." she finished, a cheeky grin on hre face. She saw the worry in her husbands eyes "Look at my flyboy all worried." she said smiling, stroking Harms face again.
"Yeah well this..." he put a hand on her stomach "Is our first child and the woman I love more than any one thing in this world is carrying it. I took such a long time to finally admit to myself how much I loved you, even though deep down I knew it from the first moment we met. I was scared, and now you know, now I can admit it to myself I am not gonna let a thing happen to you which would mean losing you."
Mac rubbed her husbands back "Listen to me, we are going to grow old and derepit together you hear, with dogs and cats and grandchildren running around chasing them. You are not gonna lose me sailor."
"So then I'm stuck with you huh marine?" he asked with fake exsaperraton and a mock sigh.
"I'm afraid to say it kinda looks that way." she replied with a mock sigh typical of her husband, ruffling his hair.
"Well I guess we can make the best of it huh?" He replied taking her heands in his and squeezing them, kissing her gently on the lips.
"Oh I think so." she replied, her eyes shining and full of love for the one man who could still give her butterflies and make her go weak at the knees with just one smile, or one look at his beautiful face.
Harm looked into Mac's eyes they were beautiful as was she, with a face that could light up a whole room and melt his heart with one smile even when he was angry about something.
Even though they had known each other for four years now she could still make his heart beat fsat and make his body ache when she was away from him for too long.. For too long he had kept his feelings for this amazing woman to himself, too afraid to act on them, even though deep down he knew he'd lose her if he didn't and because of this he had recently come close to losing her altogether. He didn't know what he'd do if he lost her now, it would tear him apart, he had already nearly lost her once and he didn't care to got through that again.
"Sounds good to me." he replied passionately kssing his wife and stroking her hair off her pale but glowing face.
"I love you sailor..." she told him sincerely, not believing that she had nearly thrown her chance of happiness away for Mic Brumby. "...and thank you. You know I may be about to balloon to the size of a bus, I may have nearly chronic morning sickness, but you know what I don't care. I am so happy Mr Harmon Rabb, thank you."
"You won't be saying that when you give birth babe, you're gonna be turning the air black and blue."
She smiled "You can count on that."
"I can't believe I nearly let you get away." he told her full of affection for the woman that had stolen his heart, a tinge of anger in his voicedirected at himself.
"Yeah well you got me now sailor, and we have a child on the way. I nearly let you get away too remember, but we got here in the end."
"Yes we did..." he told her a big grin on his face. He stroked her cheek. "and I do not intend to do a thing to spoil it." he put his head down to Mac's tummy where his unborn child was, a small bump having formed "You hear that Junior you are stuck with a soft daddy." he told his child before starting to sing an impromptu version of the Bear Necessities from the Jungle Book to the bump "Oohh, Oohh, Oohh you're mom and dad love yououou, we're gonna love you babe, kiss you babe,wooohhh..."
Mac looked down at her husband singing gently to their unborn child, a smile of affection forming on her face as she listened to the words. She stroked his hair, unable to take her eyes off him, her heart full of love.
"You are so adorable sailor, you know that?" she told him when he appeared to be stuck for words.
"I try." he replied looking up at her, his blue green eyes shining in the knowledge that in a few months they would have a perfectly formed human being to love and care for, one that they had created together and one which was part of the both of them, one which alerady had both his and Mac's unconditional love. "That's why you love me Mrs Mackenzie-Rabb."
"I certainly do." she answered lifting his head up so they could kiss.
"Hey guys Chloe's here." they heard Harriet shout from the back yard.
"Then I think we should probably get back to our guests don't you sailor?"
"Probably." he replied kissing her again, savouring her lips on his.
She lowered herself off the counter and took his hand, leading him into the back yard, though not before grabbing the food for the barbeque, as Chloe ran up to the both of them and gave them a big hug.
"Everything okay?" Harriet asked, their having been inside for a long time.
"Just perfect." Mac replied beaming as her husband took her in a tender embrace, one of an infinite number they would share through eternity.
THE END.
1300 ZULU
ROSELAKE HOTEL
Harm stood under the arch where Jack had stood a few months earlier, Bud at his side, ready to take the woman he loved as his wife. He was nervous but he was also extremely happy, it was something he had been waiting for for years and it felt so right. He looked at Bud who had a grin on his face.
"Would you like to share Lieutenant?" he asked.
"No sir, sorry sir." he replied.
The music started and Harm turned around to see Sydney walk down the aisle first, then Harriet who flashed a beautiful smile at Bud before going over to her daughter and son who Trish was playing with, and then Courteney and Chloe who walked together hand in hand drawing lots of smiles from the huge number of guests that had attended. They all looked beautiful.
Harm turned around completely as he saw Mac's approach down the aisle, she looked stunning and gave him a big smile as she walked towards him, neither could believe the day was really here.
"Two women in a matter of months sir." Mac commented to A.J quietly regarding his giving both her and Courteney away as they were walking down the aisle towards the love of her life. "Any chance you're gonna make that a third? well you know except for your being at the other end of the aisle?" she asked rgarding Sydney.
"We'll see." he whispered beaming at Sydney as they walked past.
Mac looked at Harms face, she couldn't take hre eyes off him as she made her way down the aisle, nor he her. He was truly the love of her life and while it already seemed as if they were
one she couldn't wait to have their relationship blessed by God, to be Mrs Harmon Rabb Jr.
She finally reached the arch, still covered with red roses as was the path and looked deep into Harms eyes.
" I love you." she mouthed befoer the ceremony started.
"Love you too." he mouthed back, turning towards the minister who would make their dream come true.
1400 ZULU
ROSELAKE HOTEL.
It was official Harm and Mac were now man and wife. They had walked through the Arch Of Steel half an hour ago as Mr and Mrs Harmon Rabb Jr and it was obvious to all they couldn't be happier, they hadn't taken their hands off each other since the ceremony had ended. It was now time for speeches.
Bud hit a glass and stood up clearing his throat.
"As best man I figure I kinda have a duty to make a speech here regarding the Colonel and Commander and their finally seeing the light." he told the guests making them laugh.
He turned towards them. "Commander, Colonel...you have been good friends to Harriet and I, you're the god parents to both four children and you have always been there if we needed advice or an emotional pick up... What you haven't always been good at though is realising your feelings...I guess that's why it took you so long to get here but you did in the end and for that we are happy, and you obviously are. I'm sure I'm reflecting everyone's feelings when I say that you deserve to be happy. As people and Naval officers...well a Naval officer and a Marine you have both been through a lot, many of us here have, but through that your relationship has always seemed a constant, a source of strength and comfort. Things haven't been easy lately Sir, Ma'am but you got here in the end, lifes path leading you two each other and each others hearts and I speak for all of us when I say I'm sure you'll spend eternity together. Your love is clear for us all to see today and has been for years, I'm sure with it you will withstand anything that may surface to try and knock you down...you are soulmates and I wish you every happiness... you deserve it." he finished sitting down, Harriet giving him a big kiss. "Colonel I believe you want the microphone?" he asked handing to her, Harm looking at her puzzled.
Mac got out of her chair and looked around at the guests.
"I guess you're all wondering why the bride is getting up to make a speech it being unusual and all but there are a couple of things I'd like to say. First of all I'd like to thank all of you for coming. I guess over the years it must have got a bit annoying being around us seeing as many of you figured out the way we felt about each other even before we did, for tha, for putting up with us I thank you all. Secondly I would like to say to my darling husband here Harmon Rabb Jr that you baby are my world." she told him turning to face him. "You have been there for me when no one else was, many of you here have and I love you so much for it. You have made me the happiest woman alive sailor and for that I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart." she told him stroking his face "I also want to tell you this..." she said taking his hand in hers and kissing it.
A.J looked at Sydney who was smiling then at the others at the table who were doing the same, Chloe obviously trying very hard not to giggle.
"Mac?" Harm asked puzzled getting out of his chair to stand beside her.
"We're going to have a baby." she whispered softly into his ear.
"You're pregnant? what...?when...?" he whispered back leaving the guests confused.
"Sydney confirmed it this morning. Our baby was probably conceived on Courteneys wedding night, here in this hotel." she replied smiling.
"We're going to have a baby?" Harm repeated a smile growing on his face a little louder this time so all the guests at the main table heard.
"Yes we are." Mac beamed putting his hand on her stomach.
"Sarah Catherine Mackenzie-Rabb I love you." he told her lifting up her chin with his spare hand and giving her a long and tender kiss.
"I love you too flyboy." she replied as he wrapped his arms around her waist, one hand rubbing her stomach before turning to the guests and shouting overjoyed "we're going to have a
baby." causing the marquee to erupt in cheers and claps, Trish running over to her son and new daughter in law who she already adored to congratualte them, Chloe, Bud carrying baby Sarah Mae, Harriet with baby A.J, A.J, Courteney, Jack and Sydney doing the same, happy that their friends wishes had come true.
1530 ZULU
RABB RESIDENCE
ONE MONTH LATER
Harmon Rabb left the back yard and with it his guests who had all come around for a housewarming barbeque in the midst of a heatwave at his and Macs new three bedroomed house. He was in the process of preparing the food when he realised he had thoughtfully left half of it in the kitchen and so had left Bud and Harriet playing with their two children, A.J playing catch with Courteney and Jack talking with Sydney, Harm's mother and her husband Frank while he partook on a retrieval mission.
Harm entered the kitchen to see Mac, who had left the backyard in quite a hurry a few minutes previously enter the kitchen, her face pale in conrtast with the stunning red top she was wearing.
"You okay hon?" Harm asked her concerned.
"Fine." she patted her stomach tenderly and gently hauled herself up onto the kitchen counter in front of him "Junior here is just giving me a bout of morning sickness, no biggie." she smiled.
Harm walked over to his wife and took her hands in his. "You sure you're okay? I mean it is three in the afternoon." he said tenderly, his blue green eyes full of concern.
"I'm fine." she reassured him stroking his cheek "You know I heard morning sickness was pretty common even if it doesn't just occur in the morning." she finished, a cheeky grin on hre face. She saw the worry in her husbands eyes "Look at my flyboy all worried." she said smiling, stroking Harms face again.
"Yeah well this..." he put a hand on her stomach "Is our first child and the woman I love more than any one thing in this world is carrying it. I took such a long time to finally admit to myself how much I loved you, even though deep down I knew it from the first moment we met. I was scared, and now you know, now I can admit it to myself I am not gonna let a thing happen to you which would mean losing you."
Mac rubbed her husbands back "Listen to me, we are going to grow old and derepit together you hear, with dogs and cats and grandchildren running around chasing them. You are not gonna lose me sailor."
"So then I'm stuck with you huh marine?" he asked with fake exsaperraton and a mock sigh.
"I'm afraid to say it kinda looks that way." she replied with a mock sigh typical of her husband, ruffling his hair.
"Well I guess we can make the best of it huh?" He replied taking her heands in his and squeezing them, kissing her gently on the lips.
"Oh I think so." she replied, her eyes shining and full of love for the one man who could still give her butterflies and make her go weak at the knees with just one smile, or one look at his beautiful face.
Harm looked into Mac's eyes they were beautiful as was she, with a face that could light up a whole room and melt his heart with one smile even when he was angry about something.
Even though they had known each other for four years now she could still make his heart beat fsat and make his body ache when she was away from him for too long.. For too long he had kept his feelings for this amazing woman to himself, too afraid to act on them, even though deep down he knew he'd lose her if he didn't and because of this he had recently come close to losing her altogether. He didn't know what he'd do if he lost her now, it would tear him apart, he had already nearly lost her once and he didn't care to got through that again.
"Sounds good to me." he replied passionately kssing his wife and stroking her hair off her pale but glowing face.
"I love you sailor..." she told him sincerely, not believing that she had nearly thrown her chance of happiness away for Mic Brumby. "...and thank you. You know I may be about to balloon to the size of a bus, I may have nearly chronic morning sickness, but you know what I don't care. I am so happy Mr Harmon Rabb, thank you."
"You won't be saying that when you give birth babe, you're gonna be turning the air black and blue."
She smiled "You can count on that."
"I can't believe I nearly let you get away." he told her full of affection for the woman that had stolen his heart, a tinge of anger in his voicedirected at himself.
"Yeah well you got me now sailor, and we have a child on the way. I nearly let you get away too remember, but we got here in the end."
"Yes we did..." he told her a big grin on his face. He stroked her cheek. "and I do not intend to do a thing to spoil it." he put his head down to Mac's tummy where his unborn child was, a small bump having formed "You hear that Junior you are stuck with a soft daddy." he told his child before starting to sing an impromptu version of the Bear Necessities from the Jungle Book to the bump "Oohh, Oohh, Oohh you're mom and dad love yououou, we're gonna love you babe, kiss you babe,wooohhh..."
Mac looked down at her husband singing gently to their unborn child, a smile of affection forming on her face as she listened to the words. She stroked his hair, unable to take her eyes off him, her heart full of love.
"You are so adorable sailor, you know that?" she told him when he appeared to be stuck for words.
"I try." he replied looking up at her, his blue green eyes shining in the knowledge that in a few months they would have a perfectly formed human being to love and care for, one that they had created together and one which was part of the both of them, one which alerady had both his and Mac's unconditional love. "That's why you love me Mrs Mackenzie-Rabb."
"I certainly do." she answered lifting his head up so they could kiss.
"Hey guys Chloe's here." they heard Harriet shout from the back yard.
"Then I think we should probably get back to our guests don't you sailor?"
"Probably." he replied kissing her again, savouring her lips on his.
She lowered herself off the counter and took his hand, leading him into the back yard, though not before grabbing the food for the barbeque, as Chloe ran up to the both of them and gave them a big hug.
"Everything okay?" Harriet asked, their having been inside for a long time.
"Just perfect." Mac replied beaming as her husband took her in a tender embrace, one of an infinite number they would share through eternity.
THE END.