Saturday 1330
JAG HQ Falls Church, VA
As Harm drove toward the Robert's new home, the feeling of dread in Mac's stomach intensified. The meeting with Kate the night before had shaken her more than she was willing to admit, even to herself. Every five minutes she had felt the urge to pick up the phone, call Webb and demand to know what was so dangerous that Kate would answer her door with a gun.
"You're thinking about it, too," Harm said, not asking, but stating.
Mac sighed, and smiled a little. Knowing that Harm was watching her and knew how she was feeling was some comfort. "I just can't shake it, Harm. I feel like something bad is happening."
"What was your first clue?" he said, half-sarcastically and half-seriously as he turned a corner.
"This isn't a joke, Harm," she scolded, "I am really worried about Kate. It's all I can do not pick up the phone and badger Clay for answers."
"Don't bother," Harm said, then he admitted, "I've already tried. He's not answering."
Mac smiled, and Harm returned the look. It wasn't necessarily a good thing that Webb wasn't answering his calls, but that was a usual occurrence. Harm had the sneaking suspicion that Clay screened his calls, and that his never made it through.
When they arrived at the Roberts' they were relieved to have something else to think about. Little AJ came running out to meet his godparents, and for the next three hours Harm and Mac were swept into the Roberts' cozy family life.
Monday 1030 Eastern JAG HQ Falls Church, VA
The easy mood of the weekend was over, and Mac was back to worrying. She sat her desk burrowing deeper and deeper into the papers on it, finishing paperwork that really didn't need to be completed. She'd finished all of her regular paperwork and had started in on anything Harriet told her was pending. Harm had just settled a fresh vase of red roses on Mac's desk when the very pregnant lieutenant entered the office carrying more files. She deposited the files, and Harm got out of his chair and offered it to her.
"Thank you, sir," she said cheerfully, though her voice was a bit tired.
"How are you feeling Harriet?" Mac asked in a tone that covered her other worries.
"I'm doing just fine ma'am," she said, "I can't wait for this one to be born, though."
Both Harm and Mac smiled at Harriet's innocently guilty admission. It was hard to be worried or downtrodden when Harriet was around. He cheerfulness seemed to penetrate everyone. Harriet sighed softly, and the rose to go. She put both hands on her back and arched a little bit. When she returned to a regular standing position, she said, "Ma'am, those flowers smell glorious. May I?"
"Of course," Mac replied, and pushed the vase closer to Harriet, but just as Harriet bent to inhale the sweet scent, she jerked back upright, her eyes wide. "Harriet?" Mac asked anxiously.
"Ma'am, my water just broke," Harriet said, her eyes still wide with disbelief, then she looked at her stomach accusingly, "I wasn't serious when I said I couldn't wait." But then she screwed up her face. "Ow," she breathed, and she placed her hand over he extremely swollen stomach. "Please, get Bud."
Harm had already left to collect the junior officer. Harm checked Bud's office, only to find it empty. He ran out into the bullpen and checked the assignment board. Bud was in court, prosecuting a case with Singer in front of Captain Sebring. This wasn't going to be pleasant.
Harm ran down the hall, leaped down the steps two at a time, and ran to the doors of the courtroom. He waited and listened for a moment, then quietly entered. Captain Sebring looked directly at him as he walked briskly up the aisle to where Bud was sitting. Harm was aware of the Captain's eyes on him as he whispered the reason for his errand to the lieutenant. Bud shot out of his chair. "Uh, your honor," he stammered, "The prosecution would like to request a continuance."
"Lieutenant Roberts, Commander Turner is in the middle of his cross," Captain Sebring said clearly annoyed, "Why do you want a continuance now?"
"I'm having a baby," Bud blurted out, and Harm winced inwardly. "I mean my wife, your honor. She just went into labor."
Captain Sebring looked at Commander Sturgis, who indicated that he didn't mind the continuance, and said, with a knowing smirk on his face, "Request granted. We'll reconvene in two weeks time. Court is adjourned."
Bud barely had time to say 'thank you, your honor' before Harm hustled him out of the room. Singer gaped disapprovingly after them, and Sturgis hurried to follow. Harm made note of the fact that he'd never seen Bud move so quickly, except maybe when he had disarmed the bomb in Harm's apartment several years ago. They reached Mac's office in record time, but they had to shoulder past the rest of the staff in order to get there. Harm stopped at the door and let Bud go into the already crowded office. Mac sat on the floor supporting Harriet's back, while Admiral Chegwidden stood talking on the phone.
"Harriet," Bud said softly when he finally reached his wife's side.
"Bud, it's too soon," Harriet moaned quietly.
"I know, sweetie, but we'll be okay," he soothed. "Ma'am has anyone called an ambulance?"
"On the phone with them now, lieutenant," the Admiral told him, "Just making sure they get the right woman this time."
Smiles flitted across the faces of the onlookers, and Harriet seemed to finally notice their presence. She looked up at Mac, begging her to do something about the crowd. Mac in turn looked to Harm. Harm understood the silent message and began to shoo everyone back to work, or at the very least away from the office.
Three hours later, Mac and Harm sat in the uncomfortable hospital waiting room chairs waiting for news on Harriet. They had called Mikey, Big Bud, and Harriet's parents in Florida and filling them in on the situation. They both knew, of course that none of them were likely to come. Mikey was at Annapolis, Harriet's parents were too far away, and Big Bud usually avoided family get-togethers. So, they waited anxiously alone, hoping that Harriet and the baby were okay.
Inside the birthing room, was another story. Bud held Harriet's hand tightly as she groaned through another contraction. Her eyes were squinted shut and her jaws clamped tightly together. Then, it was over. The pain had subsided, but only long enough for the doctor to say, "Alright, Harriet, on the next one I want you to push," the doctor ordered, and a moment later, the contraction hit, "Now Harriet, push!"
Harriet beared down and pushed as hard as she could. Her face returned to its contorted expression, and she barred her clenched teeth as she groaned.
"Come on, sweetie," Bud coaxed, and Harriet opened her scared eyes to him.
"Harriet, the head is out," the doctor said, "One more big push!"
Another contraction hit, and Harriet pushed with everything she had left in her. Her body tensed and her mind focused on her single objective. Behind her eyelids was no longer dark, but bright white with the tension of shutting them so hard. She felt all her muscles screaming with the effort, and finally, she felt her child pass from her and into the world.
At that moment, Harm and Mac heard the cries of the newborn and smiled at each other. Mac's eyes were over-bright with unshed tears, and Harm pulled her into a tight hug. "Some day," he whispered, "Promise."
Mac sniffled and nodded against him. A few minutes later Bud walked into the waiting room, and they both rose to greet the proud father. He beamed up at them proudly. "It's a girl! Six pounds, five ounces, eighteen inches long."
Both Harm and Mac let out the breaths they hadn't realized they'd been holding. Mac smiled widened as Harm said, "Congratulations, Bud," and clapped the younger man on the shoulder.
"How's Harriet?" Mac asked her voice happy but a little worried.
"She's doing just fine," Bud said, "The baby is a little premature but the doctors say she's going to be just fine."
Again, Harm and Mac shared a sigh of relief. Bud smiled again, then he shrugged, "I'd better get back to Harriet."
"Wait," Harm called at Bud's retreating back. Bud turned around expectantly, and Harm asked, "What did you name her?"
Bud looked heavenward, wondering how he could have forgotten to tell them the new baby's name. "Erin," she told them. "Erin Kathleen Roberts."
"Good name," Mac said, still smiling. "Give our best to Harriet." Bud nodded and disappeared back into the room with his wife.
Harm shook his head contentedly, "Erin Roberts. Good name."
"A very good name," Mac corrected as she laced her arm into Harm's and they walked tiredly out to the parking lot.
The drive was quiet and happy for them both. They listened contentedly to the radio and just basked in the miracle that had just taken place.
"Thank God she made it to the hospital for this one," Mac finally said, and Harm smiled broadly at the memory of little AJ's arrival in his namesake's office. "We should probably call the Admiral," he said.
Mac pulled her cell phone from her briefcase and dialed. "Tiner, this is Colonel Mackenzie." Mac gave Harm an exasperated look, which he knew meant that Tiner was plaguing her with questions. "Just put me through, please Tiner."
"Admiral, this is Colonel Mackenzie." Pause. "Yes, Lt. Simms is alright." Another pause. "A girl, sir, Erin Roberts." Mac paused again. "Six pounds, four ounces, eighteen inches." Pause. "Yes, sir, mother and daughter are both happy and healthy." Mac waited. "Goodnight, sir."
Mac put her cell phone back down, and turned her exasperated face to Harm. I think the Admiral is more a grandpa than he'll ever admit."
Harm smiled, and for a while silently thinking about the possibility of having his own children some day. He knew it would be a huge challenge, and a major commitment. Mac seemed to read his mind. She was thinking about children, too. She was ready for that commitment, but knew that Harm wasn't. It had been a big step for him to commit to marriage, and Mac knew not to push him too hard, too fast. So, she sat back and thought happily to herself about the little boy or girl they would have one day.
JAG HQ Falls Church, VA
As Harm drove toward the Robert's new home, the feeling of dread in Mac's stomach intensified. The meeting with Kate the night before had shaken her more than she was willing to admit, even to herself. Every five minutes she had felt the urge to pick up the phone, call Webb and demand to know what was so dangerous that Kate would answer her door with a gun.
"You're thinking about it, too," Harm said, not asking, but stating.
Mac sighed, and smiled a little. Knowing that Harm was watching her and knew how she was feeling was some comfort. "I just can't shake it, Harm. I feel like something bad is happening."
"What was your first clue?" he said, half-sarcastically and half-seriously as he turned a corner.
"This isn't a joke, Harm," she scolded, "I am really worried about Kate. It's all I can do not pick up the phone and badger Clay for answers."
"Don't bother," Harm said, then he admitted, "I've already tried. He's not answering."
Mac smiled, and Harm returned the look. It wasn't necessarily a good thing that Webb wasn't answering his calls, but that was a usual occurrence. Harm had the sneaking suspicion that Clay screened his calls, and that his never made it through.
When they arrived at the Roberts' they were relieved to have something else to think about. Little AJ came running out to meet his godparents, and for the next three hours Harm and Mac were swept into the Roberts' cozy family life.
Monday 1030 Eastern JAG HQ Falls Church, VA
The easy mood of the weekend was over, and Mac was back to worrying. She sat her desk burrowing deeper and deeper into the papers on it, finishing paperwork that really didn't need to be completed. She'd finished all of her regular paperwork and had started in on anything Harriet told her was pending. Harm had just settled a fresh vase of red roses on Mac's desk when the very pregnant lieutenant entered the office carrying more files. She deposited the files, and Harm got out of his chair and offered it to her.
"Thank you, sir," she said cheerfully, though her voice was a bit tired.
"How are you feeling Harriet?" Mac asked in a tone that covered her other worries.
"I'm doing just fine ma'am," she said, "I can't wait for this one to be born, though."
Both Harm and Mac smiled at Harriet's innocently guilty admission. It was hard to be worried or downtrodden when Harriet was around. He cheerfulness seemed to penetrate everyone. Harriet sighed softly, and the rose to go. She put both hands on her back and arched a little bit. When she returned to a regular standing position, she said, "Ma'am, those flowers smell glorious. May I?"
"Of course," Mac replied, and pushed the vase closer to Harriet, but just as Harriet bent to inhale the sweet scent, she jerked back upright, her eyes wide. "Harriet?" Mac asked anxiously.
"Ma'am, my water just broke," Harriet said, her eyes still wide with disbelief, then she looked at her stomach accusingly, "I wasn't serious when I said I couldn't wait." But then she screwed up her face. "Ow," she breathed, and she placed her hand over he extremely swollen stomach. "Please, get Bud."
Harm had already left to collect the junior officer. Harm checked Bud's office, only to find it empty. He ran out into the bullpen and checked the assignment board. Bud was in court, prosecuting a case with Singer in front of Captain Sebring. This wasn't going to be pleasant.
Harm ran down the hall, leaped down the steps two at a time, and ran to the doors of the courtroom. He waited and listened for a moment, then quietly entered. Captain Sebring looked directly at him as he walked briskly up the aisle to where Bud was sitting. Harm was aware of the Captain's eyes on him as he whispered the reason for his errand to the lieutenant. Bud shot out of his chair. "Uh, your honor," he stammered, "The prosecution would like to request a continuance."
"Lieutenant Roberts, Commander Turner is in the middle of his cross," Captain Sebring said clearly annoyed, "Why do you want a continuance now?"
"I'm having a baby," Bud blurted out, and Harm winced inwardly. "I mean my wife, your honor. She just went into labor."
Captain Sebring looked at Commander Sturgis, who indicated that he didn't mind the continuance, and said, with a knowing smirk on his face, "Request granted. We'll reconvene in two weeks time. Court is adjourned."
Bud barely had time to say 'thank you, your honor' before Harm hustled him out of the room. Singer gaped disapprovingly after them, and Sturgis hurried to follow. Harm made note of the fact that he'd never seen Bud move so quickly, except maybe when he had disarmed the bomb in Harm's apartment several years ago. They reached Mac's office in record time, but they had to shoulder past the rest of the staff in order to get there. Harm stopped at the door and let Bud go into the already crowded office. Mac sat on the floor supporting Harriet's back, while Admiral Chegwidden stood talking on the phone.
"Harriet," Bud said softly when he finally reached his wife's side.
"Bud, it's too soon," Harriet moaned quietly.
"I know, sweetie, but we'll be okay," he soothed. "Ma'am has anyone called an ambulance?"
"On the phone with them now, lieutenant," the Admiral told him, "Just making sure they get the right woman this time."
Smiles flitted across the faces of the onlookers, and Harriet seemed to finally notice their presence. She looked up at Mac, begging her to do something about the crowd. Mac in turn looked to Harm. Harm understood the silent message and began to shoo everyone back to work, or at the very least away from the office.
Three hours later, Mac and Harm sat in the uncomfortable hospital waiting room chairs waiting for news on Harriet. They had called Mikey, Big Bud, and Harriet's parents in Florida and filling them in on the situation. They both knew, of course that none of them were likely to come. Mikey was at Annapolis, Harriet's parents were too far away, and Big Bud usually avoided family get-togethers. So, they waited anxiously alone, hoping that Harriet and the baby were okay.
Inside the birthing room, was another story. Bud held Harriet's hand tightly as she groaned through another contraction. Her eyes were squinted shut and her jaws clamped tightly together. Then, it was over. The pain had subsided, but only long enough for the doctor to say, "Alright, Harriet, on the next one I want you to push," the doctor ordered, and a moment later, the contraction hit, "Now Harriet, push!"
Harriet beared down and pushed as hard as she could. Her face returned to its contorted expression, and she barred her clenched teeth as she groaned.
"Come on, sweetie," Bud coaxed, and Harriet opened her scared eyes to him.
"Harriet, the head is out," the doctor said, "One more big push!"
Another contraction hit, and Harriet pushed with everything she had left in her. Her body tensed and her mind focused on her single objective. Behind her eyelids was no longer dark, but bright white with the tension of shutting them so hard. She felt all her muscles screaming with the effort, and finally, she felt her child pass from her and into the world.
At that moment, Harm and Mac heard the cries of the newborn and smiled at each other. Mac's eyes were over-bright with unshed tears, and Harm pulled her into a tight hug. "Some day," he whispered, "Promise."
Mac sniffled and nodded against him. A few minutes later Bud walked into the waiting room, and they both rose to greet the proud father. He beamed up at them proudly. "It's a girl! Six pounds, five ounces, eighteen inches long."
Both Harm and Mac let out the breaths they hadn't realized they'd been holding. Mac smiled widened as Harm said, "Congratulations, Bud," and clapped the younger man on the shoulder.
"How's Harriet?" Mac asked her voice happy but a little worried.
"She's doing just fine," Bud said, "The baby is a little premature but the doctors say she's going to be just fine."
Again, Harm and Mac shared a sigh of relief. Bud smiled again, then he shrugged, "I'd better get back to Harriet."
"Wait," Harm called at Bud's retreating back. Bud turned around expectantly, and Harm asked, "What did you name her?"
Bud looked heavenward, wondering how he could have forgotten to tell them the new baby's name. "Erin," she told them. "Erin Kathleen Roberts."
"Good name," Mac said, still smiling. "Give our best to Harriet." Bud nodded and disappeared back into the room with his wife.
Harm shook his head contentedly, "Erin Roberts. Good name."
"A very good name," Mac corrected as she laced her arm into Harm's and they walked tiredly out to the parking lot.
The drive was quiet and happy for them both. They listened contentedly to the radio and just basked in the miracle that had just taken place.
"Thank God she made it to the hospital for this one," Mac finally said, and Harm smiled broadly at the memory of little AJ's arrival in his namesake's office. "We should probably call the Admiral," he said.
Mac pulled her cell phone from her briefcase and dialed. "Tiner, this is Colonel Mackenzie." Mac gave Harm an exasperated look, which he knew meant that Tiner was plaguing her with questions. "Just put me through, please Tiner."
"Admiral, this is Colonel Mackenzie." Pause. "Yes, Lt. Simms is alright." Another pause. "A girl, sir, Erin Roberts." Mac paused again. "Six pounds, four ounces, eighteen inches." Pause. "Yes, sir, mother and daughter are both happy and healthy." Mac waited. "Goodnight, sir."
Mac put her cell phone back down, and turned her exasperated face to Harm. I think the Admiral is more a grandpa than he'll ever admit."
Harm smiled, and for a while silently thinking about the possibility of having his own children some day. He knew it would be a huge challenge, and a major commitment. Mac seemed to read his mind. She was thinking about children, too. She was ready for that commitment, but knew that Harm wasn't. It had been a big step for him to commit to marriage, and Mac knew not to push him too hard, too fast. So, she sat back and thought happily to herself about the little boy or girl they would have one day.
