'What's Meant To Be Will Be 16'
From part 15
Mac reached down and picked her purse up from near Harriet, as she lifted it up the light caught her engagement and Harriet's eye, she let out a shriek and causing Bud to spin around in concern.
"Commander you said you just wanted to do something special for her, not propose!"
"Well I had to see if she'd say yes first."
"Congratulations" chimed Bud who was I the midst of picking up the contents of the bag he had dropped when Harriet had shrieked.
"Thankyou, I'm guessing Mac wants you over for lunch so she can plan the wedding."
"Awww this is so exciting, I'll bring some of the books I used for my wedding with me." At that AJ started crying.
"Harriet we better get going AJ needs to get to bed."
"Okay Bud, lets go. We'll see you on Sunday."
"Yes you will Goodnight."
Harm, Mac and the Admiral were now the only people left. "Sir I was wondering if you would like to come on Sunday as well."
"I'll be there."
He walked them down to the car park and said goodnight.
"Sir, don't worry about coming in tomorrow and helping clean up there's not much there I'll do it when clear up my office."
"No you wont Commander, I'm going back up to cover the left over food and the cleaners will do the rest. You're going to spend the day with your daughter and fiancé."
"Thankyou Sir, goodnight."
"Goodnight."
They got in the car and drove off. He watched the car fade into the distance and lifted his head and said I silent Thankyou. Thing's had worked out for them after all.
What's Meant To Be 16
HARM AND MAC'S APARTMENT Next Day 1900
Mac was tending to Rose in the nursery and Harm was preparing lunch in the kitchen. As Mac rocked Rose to sleep in her arms she went over the previous night's events. She still couldn't believe she was engaged to Harm, for years all she wanted was to marry the man she loved and start a family, she finally had it all. 'To think not even a year ago I was about to marry another man' she said quietly looking down at her beautiful daughter. A distant knock at the door bought her out of thought, she could hear Harm greeting the Admiral at the door. Mac got up and walked out with Rose draped tenderly over her shoulder.
"Good afternoon sir."
"Hello Mac, how's Rose doing?"
"She's doing great, she's just about asleep now, I'll go and put her in her crib."
Mac walked back to the nursery, leaving the two men in the lounge.
"Nice little stunt you pulled there last night Rabb, it's about time."
"I know I should have asked her months ago."
"More like year!" AJ said walking over toward the kitchen
"What do you mean sir?"
"Son, what exactly did you think I meant when I said, 'don't get too close you have to work together?'"
"Uhhh, not to get involved."
"No I meant keep it out of the office. I could see it the moment you met, I'm surprised it took you this long."
"Ohhh well sir, what's meant to be will be."
"Yes it will."
"What will?" said Mac who had just entered the room to hear the end of their conversation.
"Us." Harm said gathering her in his arms as she stood beside him.
AJ watched his 2 commanding officers with immense pride, if there was ever a marriage meant to work it was this one, he had never seen two people more in love who were meant to be together.
Mac interrupted the peaceful silence " Sir, I wanted to ask you something."
"Fire away."
"Well Sir, I was wondering if. if you'd give me away. You've been more of a father to me than my own father ever was." Mac eyed him carefully then proceeded to say "of course you don't have to if you not comfortable with it, I wouldn't ex."
"I would be honored Mac, I have always thought of you as a daughter to me and there is nothing that would keep me from giving you away."
Relief shone in her chocolate brown eyes "Thankyou Sir."
"For Pete's sake Mac, we are not at work or discussing anything work related so please call me AJ."
"Sorry s. AJ"
"That's better."
Harm who had been quiet for a while said "so, how about I open a bottle of wine?''
There was another knock at the door. "Sounds great, that'll be Bud and Harriet."
Mac opened the door and was surprised when Harriet pulled her into a hug, "I'm so happy for you, both of you. It's about time."
"I know, come on in."
Harriet, Bud and little AJ followed Mac into the lounge, Harm bought in a bottle of wine and 5 glasses.
"Before we start on lunch Harm and I have something to asks both you and Bud."
"Ahhh that's right we do. You wanna go first?"
"Okay then, Harriet would you be my maid of honor?"
"I would love to." Harriet sat on the couch opposite them and Mac could swear she had tears brimming in her eyes.
"And Bud you can probably guess what I'm goin to ask you."
"To be an usher?" Bud said in all serious
"No Bud, I would like you to be my best man."
"Of course I will sir."
"Bud it's Harm."
"Oh yeah right."
The sat and discussed the Rabb-MacKenzie wedding for hours, Harriet and Mac planned to go dress shopping the next weekend and Harm swore that he wasn't going to get involved in the planning and leave it all up to Mac, deciding he didn't want to end up on some special about 'When good brides go bad.' Harm had told Mac that all she had to do was tell him when and were and he'd be there.
Once their guests had left Harm sat down on the couch beside Mac and kissed her tenderly.
"So when are we going to have this wedding of ours?"
"I don't know, you can pick the date since I'm planning most of the wedding."
"I don't care when as long as you are mine forever."
"Well what are we spending all this money on a wedding when you'll have me forever anyway?"
"Because I want to make you Mrs. Rabb, or do you want to stay Sarah MacKenzie?"
"Oh no I want to take your name, mine comes with bad memories I'd rather leave behind. Unless of course your going to get me mixed up with your grandmother."
"There's no way that'll happen."
"Then I guess it's Mrs. Rabb then."
"Yep."
"So seriously when should we have this wedding?"
"As soon as possible."
"I'll leave the date up to you, as I said, tell me when and were and I'll be there."
"Okay I'll think about it."
SHOPPING MALL 1 week later
"So ma'am, have you and the Commander decided on a date?"
"No not yet, he said it's up to me."
"Well when would you like to get married?"
"I don't know, as soon as possible, I don't want anything big, like Mic and I had planned, I never wanted a big flashy wedding. Something small an intimate with close friends."
"How long do you think we'll need to plan it?"
"I don't know a couple of months maybe. I don't think I want to get married in May, May has never been a good month for the past few years so I don't want to jinks the wedding."
"That's true, well how about August?"
"August could be good but what date?"
"Why don't you put all the numbers in a hat and pull one out?"
"I like that idea, leave it all up to fate hey."
"Exactly. So what's first on your list of things to do?"
"The dress!"
"The dress it is,"
The two women walked around the mall for hours, the looked up every dress shop in the place but none of them had anything like what Mac wanted. Something simple yet elegant, And completely different from the one she was going to wear to marry Mic. She wanted this wedding to be completely different, and it will be because I want this wedding, she told herself.
When they had done the entire shopping mall and still hadn't found anything remotely close to what they were looking for te ventured to some of the boutiques that the sales woman in the last shop had suggested.
"Harriet, come over here."
"Have you found something?"
"Yeah there's a few over here that look good."
The saleswoman came over "Is there anything I can help you lady's with."
"Yes, my friend here would like to try on some of these dresses."
Mac shot Harriet a sharp look and smiled at the woman "Yes, would I be able to try some of these on?"
"Of course, is there any particular style you are looking for?"
"Something simple, and elegant, I want a small wedding so nothing tooo over the top."
"Well I guess you came to the right shop."
Mac looked at the front desk, which bore the name 'Simple Elegance' she hadn't even noticed the name of the store before.
The saleswoman urged Mac into the change room. "Just give me a yell if you need any help."
Mac tried on 10 or 12 dresses, there was only one left and this one was one of her favourites from just looking at it. She put the dress on and looked in the mirror, it was just what she was looking for, simple and elegant.
Mac opened the door of the change room and walked out, Harriet gasped.
The saleswoman smiled and said "That's beautiful, do you like it."
"Yes I think I do. Harriet what do you think?"
"I think it's perfect."
Mac walked over to the full-length mirror, the gown had spaghetti straps and was made with pearl white brushed satin, it clung perfectly to the top of her body, the bottom caressed the floor. The top of the bodice was beaded with a variety of white beads in an intricate pattern yet remained simple.
"Is this the one Ma'am?"
"Yes it is Harriet, yes it is."
"I can't wait to see the look on the Commanders face when he sees you in that."
"He'll have to wait a long, he's not seeing it until the wedding."
"Your so cruel Ma'am."
"I know!"
They paid for the dress and left, it had been a long day but finally they had the dress.
"Now, how about we go and grab a coffee."
To Be Continued (end chapter 16)
From part 15
Mac reached down and picked her purse up from near Harriet, as she lifted it up the light caught her engagement and Harriet's eye, she let out a shriek and causing Bud to spin around in concern.
"Commander you said you just wanted to do something special for her, not propose!"
"Well I had to see if she'd say yes first."
"Congratulations" chimed Bud who was I the midst of picking up the contents of the bag he had dropped when Harriet had shrieked.
"Thankyou, I'm guessing Mac wants you over for lunch so she can plan the wedding."
"Awww this is so exciting, I'll bring some of the books I used for my wedding with me." At that AJ started crying.
"Harriet we better get going AJ needs to get to bed."
"Okay Bud, lets go. We'll see you on Sunday."
"Yes you will Goodnight."
Harm, Mac and the Admiral were now the only people left. "Sir I was wondering if you would like to come on Sunday as well."
"I'll be there."
He walked them down to the car park and said goodnight.
"Sir, don't worry about coming in tomorrow and helping clean up there's not much there I'll do it when clear up my office."
"No you wont Commander, I'm going back up to cover the left over food and the cleaners will do the rest. You're going to spend the day with your daughter and fiancé."
"Thankyou Sir, goodnight."
"Goodnight."
They got in the car and drove off. He watched the car fade into the distance and lifted his head and said I silent Thankyou. Thing's had worked out for them after all.
What's Meant To Be 16
HARM AND MAC'S APARTMENT Next Day 1900
Mac was tending to Rose in the nursery and Harm was preparing lunch in the kitchen. As Mac rocked Rose to sleep in her arms she went over the previous night's events. She still couldn't believe she was engaged to Harm, for years all she wanted was to marry the man she loved and start a family, she finally had it all. 'To think not even a year ago I was about to marry another man' she said quietly looking down at her beautiful daughter. A distant knock at the door bought her out of thought, she could hear Harm greeting the Admiral at the door. Mac got up and walked out with Rose draped tenderly over her shoulder.
"Good afternoon sir."
"Hello Mac, how's Rose doing?"
"She's doing great, she's just about asleep now, I'll go and put her in her crib."
Mac walked back to the nursery, leaving the two men in the lounge.
"Nice little stunt you pulled there last night Rabb, it's about time."
"I know I should have asked her months ago."
"More like year!" AJ said walking over toward the kitchen
"What do you mean sir?"
"Son, what exactly did you think I meant when I said, 'don't get too close you have to work together?'"
"Uhhh, not to get involved."
"No I meant keep it out of the office. I could see it the moment you met, I'm surprised it took you this long."
"Ohhh well sir, what's meant to be will be."
"Yes it will."
"What will?" said Mac who had just entered the room to hear the end of their conversation.
"Us." Harm said gathering her in his arms as she stood beside him.
AJ watched his 2 commanding officers with immense pride, if there was ever a marriage meant to work it was this one, he had never seen two people more in love who were meant to be together.
Mac interrupted the peaceful silence " Sir, I wanted to ask you something."
"Fire away."
"Well Sir, I was wondering if. if you'd give me away. You've been more of a father to me than my own father ever was." Mac eyed him carefully then proceeded to say "of course you don't have to if you not comfortable with it, I wouldn't ex."
"I would be honored Mac, I have always thought of you as a daughter to me and there is nothing that would keep me from giving you away."
Relief shone in her chocolate brown eyes "Thankyou Sir."
"For Pete's sake Mac, we are not at work or discussing anything work related so please call me AJ."
"Sorry s. AJ"
"That's better."
Harm who had been quiet for a while said "so, how about I open a bottle of wine?''
There was another knock at the door. "Sounds great, that'll be Bud and Harriet."
Mac opened the door and was surprised when Harriet pulled her into a hug, "I'm so happy for you, both of you. It's about time."
"I know, come on in."
Harriet, Bud and little AJ followed Mac into the lounge, Harm bought in a bottle of wine and 5 glasses.
"Before we start on lunch Harm and I have something to asks both you and Bud."
"Ahhh that's right we do. You wanna go first?"
"Okay then, Harriet would you be my maid of honor?"
"I would love to." Harriet sat on the couch opposite them and Mac could swear she had tears brimming in her eyes.
"And Bud you can probably guess what I'm goin to ask you."
"To be an usher?" Bud said in all serious
"No Bud, I would like you to be my best man."
"Of course I will sir."
"Bud it's Harm."
"Oh yeah right."
The sat and discussed the Rabb-MacKenzie wedding for hours, Harriet and Mac planned to go dress shopping the next weekend and Harm swore that he wasn't going to get involved in the planning and leave it all up to Mac, deciding he didn't want to end up on some special about 'When good brides go bad.' Harm had told Mac that all she had to do was tell him when and were and he'd be there.
Once their guests had left Harm sat down on the couch beside Mac and kissed her tenderly.
"So when are we going to have this wedding of ours?"
"I don't know, you can pick the date since I'm planning most of the wedding."
"I don't care when as long as you are mine forever."
"Well what are we spending all this money on a wedding when you'll have me forever anyway?"
"Because I want to make you Mrs. Rabb, or do you want to stay Sarah MacKenzie?"
"Oh no I want to take your name, mine comes with bad memories I'd rather leave behind. Unless of course your going to get me mixed up with your grandmother."
"There's no way that'll happen."
"Then I guess it's Mrs. Rabb then."
"Yep."
"So seriously when should we have this wedding?"
"As soon as possible."
"I'll leave the date up to you, as I said, tell me when and were and I'll be there."
"Okay I'll think about it."
SHOPPING MALL 1 week later
"So ma'am, have you and the Commander decided on a date?"
"No not yet, he said it's up to me."
"Well when would you like to get married?"
"I don't know, as soon as possible, I don't want anything big, like Mic and I had planned, I never wanted a big flashy wedding. Something small an intimate with close friends."
"How long do you think we'll need to plan it?"
"I don't know a couple of months maybe. I don't think I want to get married in May, May has never been a good month for the past few years so I don't want to jinks the wedding."
"That's true, well how about August?"
"August could be good but what date?"
"Why don't you put all the numbers in a hat and pull one out?"
"I like that idea, leave it all up to fate hey."
"Exactly. So what's first on your list of things to do?"
"The dress!"
"The dress it is,"
The two women walked around the mall for hours, the looked up every dress shop in the place but none of them had anything like what Mac wanted. Something simple yet elegant, And completely different from the one she was going to wear to marry Mic. She wanted this wedding to be completely different, and it will be because I want this wedding, she told herself.
When they had done the entire shopping mall and still hadn't found anything remotely close to what they were looking for te ventured to some of the boutiques that the sales woman in the last shop had suggested.
"Harriet, come over here."
"Have you found something?"
"Yeah there's a few over here that look good."
The saleswoman came over "Is there anything I can help you lady's with."
"Yes, my friend here would like to try on some of these dresses."
Mac shot Harriet a sharp look and smiled at the woman "Yes, would I be able to try some of these on?"
"Of course, is there any particular style you are looking for?"
"Something simple, and elegant, I want a small wedding so nothing tooo over the top."
"Well I guess you came to the right shop."
Mac looked at the front desk, which bore the name 'Simple Elegance' she hadn't even noticed the name of the store before.
The saleswoman urged Mac into the change room. "Just give me a yell if you need any help."
Mac tried on 10 or 12 dresses, there was only one left and this one was one of her favourites from just looking at it. She put the dress on and looked in the mirror, it was just what she was looking for, simple and elegant.
Mac opened the door of the change room and walked out, Harriet gasped.
The saleswoman smiled and said "That's beautiful, do you like it."
"Yes I think I do. Harriet what do you think?"
"I think it's perfect."
Mac walked over to the full-length mirror, the gown had spaghetti straps and was made with pearl white brushed satin, it clung perfectly to the top of her body, the bottom caressed the floor. The top of the bodice was beaded with a variety of white beads in an intricate pattern yet remained simple.
"Is this the one Ma'am?"
"Yes it is Harriet, yes it is."
"I can't wait to see the look on the Commanders face when he sees you in that."
"He'll have to wait a long, he's not seeing it until the wedding."
"Your so cruel Ma'am."
"I know!"
They paid for the dress and left, it had been a long day but finally they had the dress.
"Now, how about we go and grab a coffee."
To Be Continued (end chapter 16)