Two hours later.
Mac was pacing her floor when the phone rang.
"Hello." She snatched up the phone.
"Mac, it's Sturgis. He wasn't in any of the bars so on the off chance I called the airfield. He checked out the Sarah about an hour ago, the flight plan is for La Jolla."
"Thank you Sturgis. I'll phone his parents and leave a message for him."
"That's okay. Call me if you need anything otherwise I'll see you Monday."
Mac dug out her address book and locate Trish Burnett's phone number and dialled it.
"Burnett residence." A female voice answered.
"Mrs Burnett, this is Sarah Mackenzie."
"Sarah, call me Trish. Has something happened to Harm?"
"No. He checked out his plane and the flight plan says he's headed to you."
"He didn't mention anything about coming to visit this weekend."
"I think it was spur of the moment kind of decision. Could you give him a message for me when he gets there?"
"Of course, let me get a pen. Okay ready."
"Tell him, I'm sorry and that we need to talk and ask him to call me. Also tell him I followed him half way across the world because he needed me, but I am won't follow him across the country because he's running away."
"What's he running away from?" Trish asked.
"It's probably best if Harm tells you that himself. Can you tell him I'm sorry and if he can't reach me at home I'll be at the Robert's visiting with AJ."
"Okay, I'll tell him. Are you sure you are okay you a little upset?"
"I'm fine, I've just had a stomach upset the last few weeks and arguing with Harm was the last thing I needed. It's late here I'd better get to bed. Thank you Trish."
"Goodnight Sarah. Sweet dreams."
"Goodnight." As Mac hung up the phone, she sighed, the ball was now definitely in Harm's court.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"Hi Mom." Harm greeted his mother. "Frank." He saw his stepfather.
"Harmon, I thought you would have been here earlier." Trish hugged him.
"How did you know I was coming?"
"Sarah phoned and left a message for you. She sounded upset. What did you two fight about anyway?"
"I'd rather not talk about it right now. What was the message?"
"She said to tell you she was sorry, you needed to talk and to call her. She also said to tell you she followed you half way across the world because you needed her, but she wasn't following you across the country because you were running away."
"Thanks. I'm tired I'll go to bed, we'll talk in the morning. Goodnight Mom." He kissed her cheek. "Goodnight Frank."
"Goodnight Harmon."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"So do you feel like talking about it?" Trish asked leaning against the counter while Harm ate a bowl of cereal.
"Mac's pregnant."
"And it's yours?" She asked, he nodded. "What's the problem? I know your plan moved forward a little but still?"
"What plan?" Harm asked.
"The baby pact. Last time you ran away here and got drunk you told me all about it. I thought you wanted kids."
"I do. The baby isn't the problem it's the fact that she lied to me."
"What did she lie about?"
"For a start she told me she had the stomach flu."
"She was probably still getting used to the idea herself. Learning you're pregnant is a strange experience and didn't you have a trial last week. Maybe she didn't want to distract you."
"I can probably live with that but the main problem is I don't remember the night it was conceived. I was extremely drunk, when I asked what happened the next day and she said nothing I needed to worry about."
"Did she say why she didn't tell you?"
"She didn't want to wreck our friendship."
"Sounds like a sensible woman, friendships are precious. It looks like she made the right decision if this is how you reacted."
"But."
"No buts Harmon. She needs your support not your condemnation. Why don't you think this over and call her."
"Maybe tomorrow."
"If she's not home she said to try her at the Robert's she'll be visiting AJ."
"Thanks. I'm going for a walk." He got up from the table.
"Be back in time for lunch."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Harm flew back early Sunday morning and went straight to Mac's apartment when he couldn't get an answer he tried calling the Robert's house.
"Harriet it's Harm is Mac there?"
"No she's in Hawaii sir." Harriet replied.
"What's she doing in Hawaii?"
"The Admiral was trying to contact you when he couldn't he sent Bud and Mac."
"Damn I needed to talk to her."
"She'll be back in a week. She said it would give you more time to think things over."
"I take it she told you then."
"I was with her at the hospital the day she found out. Permission to speak freely sir."
"Say what you want Harriet."
"I told her you were a grown man and could take this without throwing a temper tantrum like AJ does when he doesn't get his own way. I also told her since the Admiral was supportive you would be bound to be given your Naval sense of honour."
"I was a jerk wasn't I."
"Yep. She even had Commander Turner out looking for you because she didn't want you to something stupid, it was only when he couldn't find you he thought to call the airfield."
"I needed to get." Harm rationalised his decision.
"I don't think she had the energy to chase after you like she normally does. She's had morning sickness quite badly and it's making her tired."
"Should she really have gone to Hawaii if it's that bad?"
"No, but the Admiral couldn't find you so he had to send Mac instead. Commander Turner has a trial this week and Mac was the only one apart from you with a quiet schedule. He managed to clear Bud's schedule so he could go with her. If things go well they should be back Friday night."
"Do you have a contact number for them?" He asked needing to talk to Mac.
"No. All I know is they are in Hawaii and they'll be back Friday. Hang on sweetheart." Harm hoped she was talking to little AJ. "I'm just talking to your Uncle Harm. Sorry sir he wants to talk to you."
"Put him on."
"Unca Harm?" AJ's young voice said over the phone.
"Hey AJ. How are you?"
"You made Auntie Mac cry." He stated not being old enough to understand about tact.
"I know. I'll make it better I promise. How about I take you to the park, if it's okay with your Mom and you can help me think of a way to make Auntie Mac smile."
"AJ go to the park with Unca Harm." Harm wasn't sure whom AJ was talking to.
"What's this about the park?" Harriet asked taking the phone back.
"I said I'd take him to the park if this afternoon if it's okay with you."
"It's fine, it'll give me a chance to tidy up. If you like you can stay for dinner afterwards."
"That would be nice. Is around 1400 good for you?"
"That'll be fine. I'll see you then sir."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"Lieutenant Commander Rabb nice of you to join us." Admiral Chegwidden said in the normal morning meeting Harm was only a minute late.
"Sorry sir."
"Commander if in future you decide suddenly to go out of town would you please uniform someone."
"Yes sir." Harm replied. "What was the case you wanted to send me on if you don't mind me asking sir?"
"I'm afraid I can't tell you that but I'm sure Colonel Mackenzie and Lieutenant Roberts will manage just fine."
"Yes sir."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Later in his office Harm decided if he couldn't talk to Mac he could at least e-mail her.
Hey Marine
Sorry I acted like a jerk. I know why you didn't tell me, I just need to get a little perspective. I'll make it up to you when I get back I promise. Little AJ thinks I should either get you a puppy or some ice-cream. But then again we were in the park at the time. I don't think a puppy is a good idea but if you want the ice-cream you just let me know. I'll see you soon, be safe.
Love Harm.
An hour later his computer bleeped telling him he had a message.
Dear flyboy,
It'll probably take more than just ice-cream. But chocolate fudge brownie would be good. If you talk to your Mom apologise for me calling her so late again. You probably won't be able to get hold of me for a while so I'll see you when I get back.
Love Mac
P.S. If you want to go by and water my plants (HINT HINT) the scan photo is on the fridge.
Mac was pacing her floor when the phone rang.
"Hello." She snatched up the phone.
"Mac, it's Sturgis. He wasn't in any of the bars so on the off chance I called the airfield. He checked out the Sarah about an hour ago, the flight plan is for La Jolla."
"Thank you Sturgis. I'll phone his parents and leave a message for him."
"That's okay. Call me if you need anything otherwise I'll see you Monday."
Mac dug out her address book and locate Trish Burnett's phone number and dialled it.
"Burnett residence." A female voice answered.
"Mrs Burnett, this is Sarah Mackenzie."
"Sarah, call me Trish. Has something happened to Harm?"
"No. He checked out his plane and the flight plan says he's headed to you."
"He didn't mention anything about coming to visit this weekend."
"I think it was spur of the moment kind of decision. Could you give him a message for me when he gets there?"
"Of course, let me get a pen. Okay ready."
"Tell him, I'm sorry and that we need to talk and ask him to call me. Also tell him I followed him half way across the world because he needed me, but I am won't follow him across the country because he's running away."
"What's he running away from?" Trish asked.
"It's probably best if Harm tells you that himself. Can you tell him I'm sorry and if he can't reach me at home I'll be at the Robert's visiting with AJ."
"Okay, I'll tell him. Are you sure you are okay you a little upset?"
"I'm fine, I've just had a stomach upset the last few weeks and arguing with Harm was the last thing I needed. It's late here I'd better get to bed. Thank you Trish."
"Goodnight Sarah. Sweet dreams."
"Goodnight." As Mac hung up the phone, she sighed, the ball was now definitely in Harm's court.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"Hi Mom." Harm greeted his mother. "Frank." He saw his stepfather.
"Harmon, I thought you would have been here earlier." Trish hugged him.
"How did you know I was coming?"
"Sarah phoned and left a message for you. She sounded upset. What did you two fight about anyway?"
"I'd rather not talk about it right now. What was the message?"
"She said to tell you she was sorry, you needed to talk and to call her. She also said to tell you she followed you half way across the world because you needed her, but she wasn't following you across the country because you were running away."
"Thanks. I'm tired I'll go to bed, we'll talk in the morning. Goodnight Mom." He kissed her cheek. "Goodnight Frank."
"Goodnight Harmon."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"So do you feel like talking about it?" Trish asked leaning against the counter while Harm ate a bowl of cereal.
"Mac's pregnant."
"And it's yours?" She asked, he nodded. "What's the problem? I know your plan moved forward a little but still?"
"What plan?" Harm asked.
"The baby pact. Last time you ran away here and got drunk you told me all about it. I thought you wanted kids."
"I do. The baby isn't the problem it's the fact that she lied to me."
"What did she lie about?"
"For a start she told me she had the stomach flu."
"She was probably still getting used to the idea herself. Learning you're pregnant is a strange experience and didn't you have a trial last week. Maybe she didn't want to distract you."
"I can probably live with that but the main problem is I don't remember the night it was conceived. I was extremely drunk, when I asked what happened the next day and she said nothing I needed to worry about."
"Did she say why she didn't tell you?"
"She didn't want to wreck our friendship."
"Sounds like a sensible woman, friendships are precious. It looks like she made the right decision if this is how you reacted."
"But."
"No buts Harmon. She needs your support not your condemnation. Why don't you think this over and call her."
"Maybe tomorrow."
"If she's not home she said to try her at the Robert's she'll be visiting AJ."
"Thanks. I'm going for a walk." He got up from the table.
"Be back in time for lunch."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Harm flew back early Sunday morning and went straight to Mac's apartment when he couldn't get an answer he tried calling the Robert's house.
"Harriet it's Harm is Mac there?"
"No she's in Hawaii sir." Harriet replied.
"What's she doing in Hawaii?"
"The Admiral was trying to contact you when he couldn't he sent Bud and Mac."
"Damn I needed to talk to her."
"She'll be back in a week. She said it would give you more time to think things over."
"I take it she told you then."
"I was with her at the hospital the day she found out. Permission to speak freely sir."
"Say what you want Harriet."
"I told her you were a grown man and could take this without throwing a temper tantrum like AJ does when he doesn't get his own way. I also told her since the Admiral was supportive you would be bound to be given your Naval sense of honour."
"I was a jerk wasn't I."
"Yep. She even had Commander Turner out looking for you because she didn't want you to something stupid, it was only when he couldn't find you he thought to call the airfield."
"I needed to get." Harm rationalised his decision.
"I don't think she had the energy to chase after you like she normally does. She's had morning sickness quite badly and it's making her tired."
"Should she really have gone to Hawaii if it's that bad?"
"No, but the Admiral couldn't find you so he had to send Mac instead. Commander Turner has a trial this week and Mac was the only one apart from you with a quiet schedule. He managed to clear Bud's schedule so he could go with her. If things go well they should be back Friday night."
"Do you have a contact number for them?" He asked needing to talk to Mac.
"No. All I know is they are in Hawaii and they'll be back Friday. Hang on sweetheart." Harm hoped she was talking to little AJ. "I'm just talking to your Uncle Harm. Sorry sir he wants to talk to you."
"Put him on."
"Unca Harm?" AJ's young voice said over the phone.
"Hey AJ. How are you?"
"You made Auntie Mac cry." He stated not being old enough to understand about tact.
"I know. I'll make it better I promise. How about I take you to the park, if it's okay with your Mom and you can help me think of a way to make Auntie Mac smile."
"AJ go to the park with Unca Harm." Harm wasn't sure whom AJ was talking to.
"What's this about the park?" Harriet asked taking the phone back.
"I said I'd take him to the park if this afternoon if it's okay with you."
"It's fine, it'll give me a chance to tidy up. If you like you can stay for dinner afterwards."
"That would be nice. Is around 1400 good for you?"
"That'll be fine. I'll see you then sir."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"Lieutenant Commander Rabb nice of you to join us." Admiral Chegwidden said in the normal morning meeting Harm was only a minute late.
"Sorry sir."
"Commander if in future you decide suddenly to go out of town would you please uniform someone."
"Yes sir." Harm replied. "What was the case you wanted to send me on if you don't mind me asking sir?"
"I'm afraid I can't tell you that but I'm sure Colonel Mackenzie and Lieutenant Roberts will manage just fine."
"Yes sir."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Later in his office Harm decided if he couldn't talk to Mac he could at least e-mail her.
Hey Marine
Sorry I acted like a jerk. I know why you didn't tell me, I just need to get a little perspective. I'll make it up to you when I get back I promise. Little AJ thinks I should either get you a puppy or some ice-cream. But then again we were in the park at the time. I don't think a puppy is a good idea but if you want the ice-cream you just let me know. I'll see you soon, be safe.
Love Harm.
An hour later his computer bleeped telling him he had a message.
Dear flyboy,
It'll probably take more than just ice-cream. But chocolate fudge brownie would be good. If you talk to your Mom apologise for me calling her so late again. You probably won't be able to get hold of me for a while so I'll see you when I get back.
Love Mac
P.S. If you want to go by and water my plants (HINT HINT) the scan photo is on the fridge.