Disclaimer: See Chapter One.
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Beginnings
Chapter Nine: Preparations
By Ann Parker
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1925 EST
15 August 2003
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Lisa, Harriet, little AJ and Chloe watched Mac pace across the floor in front of them for the billionth time. She was beginning to wear a path in the bullpen's tile floor.
"Mac, will you calm down and sit? They said they would be here shortly," said Harriet, exasperated. She was beginning to get dizzy from all of the nervous bride's jitters. They were holding the rehearsal at Headquarters because they the wedding site was not available.
"Calm down? How can I calm down? I want my wedding to be perfect and how is that going to happen when we can't even rehearse because half of the wedding party isn't even here, including the groom!" she exclaimed.
Chloe stood up and placed her hands on Mac's arms, stopping her in that spot. "Mac, you are marrying the man that everyone knew you loved from day one, how more perfect can it get?" she asked.
Mac sighed and nodded, allowing Chloe to release her. "I know but I just want everything to run smoothly," she added and started to pace again. Chloe groaned and joined the other two. Lisa wrapped her arm around the teenager.
"Good try, hon," she said as they continued to watch the anxious bride. As she finished AJ, Bud, Sturgis, and Reverend Turner arrived. All saw her pacing on the floor and the three tired women seated behind her.
Lisa decided they should give it a try and headed over to AJ. "AJ, can you try to talk some sense into her? She's been driving us nuts!" she stated.
AJ nodded and headed over to Mac, "Colonel!"
The Marine in her kicked in and she snapped to attention. "Yes Sir?" she asked.
"I'm ordering you to relax at once. Your groom will be here any minute. Now, go sit down," he ordered.
"Yes Sir," Mac nodded. She walked over to Harriet and Chloe and sat down. AJ walked back over to Lisa and the rest of the guys.
"Thank you," Lisa said and AJ smiled. The elevator dinged open and Lisa looked up to the ceiling. "And thank you!" she exclaimed.
Harm, along with Sergei, walked over. "Lisa, why are you talking to the ceiling?" Harm asked.
Lisa glared at him, "Because you finally showed up. Now let's get this show on the road!" Agreement was heard around the room and everyone took their places. After they headed down the makeshift isle and vows were practiced, they headed to dinner.
~~~~~
2000 EST
Lisa's Apartment
North of Union Station
"Oh Lucy! I'm home!" giggled Lisa, walking through her door. Everyone went to her place for the rehearsal dinner so she had Gunny and Trish cooking while they rehearsed. Bobbie and Frank were watching the baby in the living room.
"Ha ha," commented Gunny, walking over with a bowl in his hand. "Here, taste this Ricky." He dished out a sample taste of the salad.
"Mmmm, perfect. I taught you well," she smiled and kissed him.
"Okay, we came for dinner, not a show," said Harm.
"Yeah, before you know it we will have another wedding on our hands," Sturgis smirked behind them. Lisa blushed and took the bowl from Gunny.
"Quiet, Subway. Go ahead and get comfortable while we finish up," she directed and headed to the kitchen. Harm noticed what she was carrying before she turned.
"Wait, did Gunny make your salad? You told him the recipe but not me?" he asked, acting hurt.
Lisa rolled her eyes, "Sorry, Harm, maybe I just don't trust you like I trust Gunny," she teased and walked away.
Harm pouted, "But I'm your brother," he countered, following her into the kitchen.
"Oh knock it off, Top Gun, and go see your bride," she replied and hit him with a kitchen towel. "Dinner should be ready shortly." Harm relented and walked into the living room.
After about twenty minutes, everything was set on the table and Lisa went to retrieve the wedding party.
"Dinner is served," she said and everyone followed her to the dining room. They gasped as they saw the beautiful display of food.
"Wow, what do you have?" asked Bud.
"Well, we have my salad of course, and then there is salmon with citrus salsa, pasta-filled peppers, and a vegetable medley. For desert we have chocolate mint éclairs," Lisa replied as they all took their seats.
"I forgot what a great cook you were, we should have had you cook for the wedding," commented Harm.
"Well, I had help. Gunny and Trish are both great cooks themselves," stated Lisa. "Now, let's stop staring at the food and eat."
Everyone nodded and dug in. After they were finished, Gunny helped Lisa clear the table.
"Are you ready for your toast?" he asked her.
She nodded. "I think so," she replied.
Gunny wrapped his arms around her and kissed her softly, "Does that help your confidence?"
Lisa giggled and kissed him again, "Not really, but it doesn't hurt."
Gunny laughed and let her go. They grabbed the desert and plates and headed back.
"It is about time, I thought we were going to have to send in a search party," joked AJ. Everyone laughed and the couple ignored the comments and served the éclairs. Once everyone was served, "Before everyone begins to eat their delicious desert, I would like to say a few words," she started. She looked over at Mac and Harm and smiled. "Since it is someone else's duty to make a speech tomorrow, I would like to toast the bride and groom tonight, two of the most amazing people I've ever met."
She walked over to Harm and placed a hand on his shoulder. "I've known Harm since I was born. There are pictures in my photo album of us together, from him holding me shortly after I was born with a big smile on his face to me chasing him around in the backyard. Harm has been there for me though quite a lot," Lisa stopped momentarily, collecting her thoughts.
Harm grabbed her hand to comfort her. "He is like a brother to me and many years ago I made a silent promise to myself that I would make sure the woman he wanted to marry truly deserved him." Lisa squeezed his hand before letting go and turning to Mac.
"As soon as he told me this Marine Major challenged him in every way I knew I had found that woman. And if I knew it was going to take years for them to get to this point I swear I would have come to DC much sooner." Everyone chuckled.
"But what is important is that they have reached this point. So now, it is my honor and joy to be the first to raise my glass in honor of my brother and new sister," she smiled. "May you have nothing but the happiness you deserve." Everyone raised his or her glasses to finish the toast.
Mac and Harm both stood up and hugged her. "That was beautiful, thank you," said Mac.
"You really made that promise?" asked Harm and Lisa nodded.
"I wanted only the best for you Top Gun and Mac is definitely it," she replied with a smile. She headed back to her seat and they ate their desert. After the meal was over, everyone retreated to the living room to relax and chat.
"You know, this place looks so different from when you owned it, brother," commented Sergei.
"Does it look better?" asked Lisa. She had just met Harm's half-brother this evening and could already tell he was a kind soul.
"Yeah, does it?" asked Harm. He wanted to see how Sergei was going to choose between his brother and a woman he just met.
"Well, I wouldn't say either is exactly better, just different. Each fits with the tastes of the owner," he replied.
"Good answer," smiled Mac when there was a knock at the door.
"I'll get it," said Lisa and walked over to her door. "Yes?" she asked upon opening it.
"Um, I have a special delivery for either a Harmon Rabb or Sarah MacKenzie," replied a pimply delivery boy holding a large box.
"They are in there, I can sign," stated Lisa and signed for the gift. After closing the door, she headed back into the living room. "Guys, I think a wedding gift just arrived."
Harm and Mac looked at each other and then the box. "Where is it from?" Mac asked.
"Let me see, South America – Suriname," replied Lisa. The engaged couple shared a look.
"Webb," stated Harm. "I'm surprised he even knew about the wedding."
"Who's Webb?" asked Lisa.
"A friend of ours that works for the government," replied Mac. "Let's see what he got us." She opened the box to reveal two separate boxes. Harm carefully picked up the bigger one while Mac chose the smaller one.
"I'll go first," said Harm and everyone watched as he opened the gift. He lifted out of the box a gorgeous spiral Steuben vase and set it on the coffee table.
"Wow, that's beautiful," commented Harriet. "Who knew Webb has such good taste?" A few smiled at that comment and then they turned to Mac.
Mac lifted the lid off the box and moved the tissue paper away. When she saw what lay in her lap, she gasped. "How did he get that?" she asked, mostly to herself. She picked up the wooden picture frame that had a rose detail and showed everyone the photo it held. It was of Harm and Mac shaking hands when they first met.
"I didn't even know there was a photo of that," commented Bud, remembering that moment.
"Is that when you first met?" asked Gunny. Harm and Mac nodded.
"That spook, he is something else," said Harm.
All were silent of a moment when Lisa noticed a card in the bottom of the box. She picked it up and smiled.
"Two roses on one slender spray, In sweet communion grew, Together hailed the morning ray, and drank the evening dew. By James Montgomery," she read. "To Rabb and MacKenzie, keep that vase full of roses and never forget who introduced you in the first place."
Mac and Harm smiled as Lisa handed them the card. They packed it in with the photo and continued to talk for a while until they noticed that both little AJ and baby Lisa had fallen asleep.
Soon the men, along with Trish and Bobbie, left. Trish volunteered to watch little Lisa for the evening. Harriet, Chloe, and Mac were staying the night at Lisa's, while Harm and Sergei were staying with Bud, to keep the bride and groom apart.
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0900 EST
16 August 2003
Lisa grabbed a mug and filled it with the freshly brewed coffee. Harriet and Chloe were eating the eggs and bacon she had cooked up.
"I'll go get sleeping beauty," she commented and then headed into her bedroom where Mac was sleeping. She set the mug on her nightstand and gently shook the bride.
"Mac, time to get up," she said softly.
Moaning, Mac opened her eyes. "Hmmm, what?"
Lisa handed her the coffee. "We need to start to get ready for your wedding today. Here, drink this and then come to the kitchen to eat," she directed. "I'm going to hop in the shower. Harriet and Chloe already have so you'll be next." Lisa went to her closet, set her bridesmaid dress out on the bed and headed to the bathroom.
Meanwhile, Mac drank some coffee for a few minutes and then followed the smell of food into the kitchen.
"Good morning, future Mrs. Rabb," commented Harriet as she dished Mac a plate of food. She handed it to her and Mac smiled.
"Thanks," she replied. After eating a few bites, she turned and admired Chole's dress. "Chloe, you look great." The teenager smiled and showed off her soft pink, metallic embroidered empire organza dress.
"I do, don't I?" she asked. Mac and Harriet laughed.
"Aren't you modest?" Mac teased and finished eating. Chloe stuck out her tongue and sat back down.
"Shower's free," stated Lisa, emerging after about 20 minutes. Mac nodded and headed to the shower. Lisa headed over to the door and slipped a coat over her dress. "Can you guys help her get ready and out Oakland by one o'clock for photos?" she asked.
"Sure," replied Harriet. "Where are you going?"
"I have to pick up a last minute wedding gift," she replied. "Don't worry, I'll be there. Just make sure Mac is gorgeous." She smiled and then headed out the door, leaving Harriet and Chloe wondering what she was up to.
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1000 EST
The Roberts' Residence
Great Falls, Virginia
Bud was fixing little AJ's tie when there was a knock at the door. "Just a second," he called and finished with AJ. "You look great AJ, now go ahead and play just don't get dirty okay?"
"Okay!" beamed AJ and he ran off. Bud walked out of the kitchen and opened the door to find AJ and Sturgis.
"Well, hello, Sirs. Come on in," greeted Bud.
"Bud, just because we are in dress uniforms doesn't mean you need to refer to us by rank. It's just AJ and Sturgis," stated AJ.
"Yes Si-AJ," replied Bud.
"So, are the groom and best man ready?" asked Sturgis.
"Actually, I was just on my way to make sure they are awake," Bud said.
AJ groaned. "I doubt it. I'll wake them up." He headed up the stairs and found Sergei and Harm still asleep. "Attention!" he yelled.
Harm immediately fell out of his bed and he hurried to stand up. Sergei jolted out of bed. The rest laughed.
"That reminded me of our time at the Academy," laughed Sturgis. After a minute, Harm and Sergei realized what had just happened.
"What time is it?" asked Harm.
"After 1000, get moving," replied Bud. "You have a wedding to get to and I don't think the bride would be happy if you were late."
Harm headed to the bathroom and laughed. "She'd kick my six, that's for sure," he replied.
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1045 EST
Andrew's Airforce Base
Lisa leaned against her car as watched a plane land and glanced down at her watch. "This is cutting it close," she mumbled to herself. She pushed her shades back up and waited a few more minutes before noticing a few figures walking her way.
Smirking, she walked over to one. "Hey, sailor, looking for a ride?" she asked as she lowered her glasses to meet his eyes.
"When a cutie like you is offering, absolutely," he replied and winked.
Lisa laughed and hugged him. "Always the flirt, aren't you?"
"You better believe it," he replied as he set his bag in the back of her convertible.
Lisa checked her watch again, "You're going to have to change when we get there to save time. Just make sure no one sees you."
"Yes Ma'am." With that the two headed out to the wedding.
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