Pasta & Roller Skates

By: Kathryn Rabb

Rating: PG-13

Summary: Can a trip back to childhood bring a man and a woman together?

Disclaimers: I do not own the JAG characters, they belong to someone else. I am just borrowing them for a little bit and promise to return them as soon as possible. Also the song 'Why Don't You and I?' is by Carlos Santana f/ Chad Kroeger and 'Could Not Ask For More' is by Edwin McCain. I don't own either song.

Author Note: Thanks for all the reviews, enjoy the rest of the story!

The National Natural History Museum

Washington, DC

"Harm, what made you think to bring me here for our date?" Mac asked Harm who seemed distracted.

"Huh? Oh well, I knew you liked to learn about dinosaur bones..." Harm trailed off.

Mac didn't respond but look at the passing exhibits as Harm held onto her elbow leading her to someplace. "Harm, we passed the bones exhibit."

"Oh did we? I really wanted to see the diamonds exhibit Mac. Do you mind if we go there first?" Harm nearly begged.

Mac was puzzled at his actions but just nodded. As they entered the exhibit Harm got even more tense and nervous. "Harm what is wrong with you? You're more jittery then a cat during a thunderstorm."

"Nothing, let's look at the diamonds," Harm said.

Mac dropped the inquiry for a bit. As they wandered from one jewel case to another, Mac was wracking her brain to figure out what was wrong with Harm. There should be nothing wrong, their relationship had been great. Finally, they came upon a jewel case that was different from the others, it held one ring. Mac read the card and it simply said,

'This was the very ring used by Harmon Rabb Junior who ask Sarah Mackenzie to be his bride. Sarah, will you marry me?'

Mac was stunned. She looked at Harm as he dropped down to one knee and said, "Will you?"

"Yes! Yes! Of course I will!" Mac yelled. And Harm jumped up to hug and kiss her as the other people in the room looked at the couple and smiled. Some even applauded. One of the exhibit curators came by and lifted the glass from the ring. Harm took the ring and placed it on Mac's ring finger. Mac gave a kiss that sent tingles all the way down to his toes, "Harm, I love you."

"I love you too," Harm said as he held her in his arms.

As the days went by they had informed all their friends and family. Everyone was quite happy with the new predicament. As the days turned to weeks, Harm and Mac planned their wedding together, they chose a spring wedding. They chose to marry in the same church that their close friends, Bud and Harriet, had. The flowers were chosen, roses of course, church and reception hall booked, food ordered, invitations sent, bridesmaids dresses were selected, Harm and the groomsmen were going to wear their whites, Chaplain Turner would perform the ceremony, and of course Little AJ would be the ring bearer.

The bridal party consisted of Harriet as the maid of honor; Meredith, Chloe, and Jennifer Coates would make up the rest of the party. Bud would become Harm's best man, Sturgis, Jack Keeter, and surprisingly Harm had asked Clayton Webb to be in the groomsmen. Mac had asked her longtime friend and mentor, AJ Chegwidden to walk her down the aisle again. As the big day loomed on the horizon tiny details were worked out and all they had to do was wait.

Wedding Day

Grooms Room

When the wedding day was finally upon them, Harm and Mac were a mix of emotions ranging from happiness to nervousness. In the grooms room, Harm paced the room as his friends looked on.

"Harm, you gotta' calm down or you're going to put yourself into a frenzy! Not to mention you're making me dizzy!" Jack said.

"I can't, man," Harm replied helplessly.

Just then Admiral AJ Chegwidden walked in, "Commander! Front and center!"

Harm nearly jumped out of his skin when he heard the Admiral. "Yes, sir!"

"Calm down, that's an order! Now, here's a letter from your soon-to-be wife," AJ said as he handed Harm a cream colored envelope. Harm opened it up and read,

Darling Harm,

If I know you as well as I think I do, you are probably pacing in their driving our friends crazy. Well, snap out of it sailor!

Harm smiled at her ability to able to tell him what to do without actually being in the room.

You're a Naval aviator, a cocky, all-balls-no-brains, 100% certified hunk of a man that I know and love. That's right, I. Love. YOU. We have taken a long path to get to this point and it has made us better because of it. We have both loved and lost others but somehow we ended up together. And no way am I going to let you go that easily.

So, take a deep breath, calm down, and I will see you at the end of that aisle, flyboy. I love you so much and I cannot wait to start our life together.

As Harm finished reading the note he noticed she signed it, "Mrs. Harmon Rabb Jr.", this little act made him smile, the woman of his dreams was marrying him! "Sir!"

"Harm, you're getting married. I am walking your wife down the aisle, I think you can call me AJ."

"Thank you, AJ. How much time before the ceremony starts?" Harm asked eagerly.

"About fifteen minutes." With that, Harm hurriedly looked for a paper and pen and sat down to write.

As he finished he asked, "AJ, could you deliver this for me?"

"Yes," AJ said and left.

Bride's Room

AJ knocked on the door and said, "This is AJ."

"Come in AJ!" Mac said from the vanity where she sat as she fixed her veil. "Did he get it?"

"Yes he did and here's his," AJ said as he handed the note to Mac. She hurriedly opened it and read,

Dear Mac,

I love you so much. I can't even describe what I feel for you. There are no words except for what I try to convey. And even when I try it doesn't come out right but I must have done something right to have all my dreams come true.

The road we have taken to this point has been filled with a lot of bumps but we made it through them and here we are. So you can bet your green Marine butt that I will be waiting for you at the end of that aisle. I love you, see you soon.

Mr. Sarah Mackenzie

Mac had tears running down her cheeks but she was laughing. Only Harm can do that to her. "Mac! Are you okay?" Harriet asked worriedly.

"Oh everything's perfect Harriet. I just read a wonderful note from Harm," Mac smiled through her tears.

"How sweet, but you have to stop crying or I'll start too!" Harriet wailed. Mac sniffled then started to laugh, "Oh look at us, two blubbering women. Good thing I have on waterproof mascara."

"Okay ladies, it's almost time," AJ announced. The bridesmaids hurried out of the room to take their place at the alter. As everyone was in place, AJ took Mac's arm. "You look beautiful Mac. You have been like a daughter to me and I am so proud of you!"

"AJ, thank you. But you have to stop now or I might start crying again!" Mac laughed.

The string quartet started to play the wedding march and everyone stood. As they turned to face the entrance the bride was supposed to come, you could hear the gasp come from the groom. This was Harm's first look at Mac in her wedding dress and he thought she looked like an angel that had descended upon them. Tears came to Harm's eyes as he watched Mac walking towards him.

The dress she wore was perfect, it had an ivory satin a-line gown with a natural waist and hand embroidered detail that was exquisite. The delicate spaghetti straps only added to its beauty. The embroidered design began at the top of the scoop neck and continued down adding texture and elegance to the classic gown. The headpiece was a traditional tiara with a chapel length veil. Mac reached Harm and she took his hand as they stood before everyone and took their vows.

~*~*~*~*~

"I now pronounce you man and wife. Harm, you may kiss your bride," Chaplain Turner commanded.

Harm took Mac into his arms and kissed her long and hard. The crowd burst into applause and a few good natured cat calls came their way. Jack leaned over and whispered loud enough for everyone to hear, "You guys, we don't have all day." And people started to laugh.

Harm and Mac broke apart with giant smiles on their faces and people started to leave the church and assembled outside as the newlyweds waited in the prefunction. "I love you, Mrs. Harmon Rabb," Harm said as he kissed his wife lightly.

"And I love you Mr. Sarah Mackenzie," Mac said as she started to giggle.


"I thought you would find that funny," Harm grinned. "Can you believe it? We did it, we're married."

"We did it. Together," Mac said as they kissed again. They broke the kiss as Bud told them they were ready for the arch of steel ceremony. The men in dress whites were ready with the arch of steel and Bud took command this time, "Presenting, for the first time: Commander and Mrs. Harmon Rabb Junior." As Harm and Mac made their way through, Bud grinned as he tapped Mac on her behind, "Go Navy!" When they were at the end, Bud dismissed them and the guests converged on the couple.

Reception

Willard Intercontinental

Washington, DC

Pictures were taken of the bride and her groom, the bridal party and the groomsmen, and an assortment of friends and family. When they were done introductions were made by the bandleader, first the ushers, and then the bridesmaids with their accompanying groomsmen. "The moment we have all been waiting for ladies and gents," the bandleader began. "Please welcome Commander and Mrs. Harmon Rabb!" As the band began, Harm and Mac entered with smiles that only conveyed the happiness they felt.

As everyone was seated, Bud made the first toast. "They met in a rose garden. And seven years later, they're finally taking the plunge. But Harm and Mac have never been known for doing anything the easy way. All the steps they have taken on this journey have made their relationship stronger. And along the way, they became my mentors, friends to Harriet and me, and godparents to our children. Sometimes, you just know something is meant to be. And this is one of them. To Harm and Mac!"

Everyone raised their glasses and drank to the happy couple. Harm and Mac thought Bud's toast was wonderful, the first course was served and cleared away when the bandleader announced, "Can I have you attention please? It is time for Harm and Sarah to share their first dance."

Edwin McCain's I Could Not Ask For More started as Harm and Mac held each other as they danced.

Lying here with you
Listening to the rain
Smiling just to see the smile upon your face
These are the moments I thank God that I'm alive
These are the moments I'll remember all my life
I found all I've waited for
And I could not ask for more

This was the perfect song for them. It had taken Harm and Mac months to choose this song. Once they heard it, they knew it was the one.

Looking in your eyes
Seeing all I need
Everything you are is everything to me
These are the moments
I know heaven must exist
These are the moments I know all I need is this
I have all I've waited for
And I could not ask for more

Harm quietly sang into Mac's ears as they danced.

I could not ask for more than this time together
I could not ask for more than this time with you
Every prayer has been answered
Every dream I have come true
And right here in this moment is right where I'm meant to be
Here with you here with me

The pair danced with each other and then with friends and family until it was time to cut the cake. Harm was about to feed Mac when she jokingly warned, "You better not push that into my face Harm!"

Harm laughed, "I won't if you won't..." As they fed each other, both pushed the cake into each other's faces and the crowd laughed. Once they were cleaned up it was time to toss the garter and bouquet. The ladies lined up behind Mac and she tossed it into the hands of Meredith. Meredith laughed and looked at AJ who shook his head in amusement.

Now it was Harm's turn to retrieve and toss the garter. As Mac sat in the chair, Harm kneeled down on a towel and lifted Mac's dress. As a joke, Jack had arranged the band to play the theme to 'Mission Impossible' when Harm was throwing the garter. Harm laughed at the first few chords of the familiar song started to play then stuck his head underneath Mac's gown and caught the garter in his teeth. As Harm pulled it down slowly, there were a few cat calls and "hurry ups" heard from the bachelors. Everyone laughed at the antics. Harm flung the garter into the crowd and landed into his CO's hands. The crowd let out a laugh as AJ turned somewhat pink.

0512 Zulu (12:12 PM EST)

It was nearing the end of the night and Harm and Mac had a flight to catch. They were going to Cabo San Lucas for their honeymoon. The newlyweds made their way through the crowd as rose petals were thrown into the air. The happy couple made it to their limo headed for the airport.

Inside, Harm said, "I love you."

Mac replied, "I love you too." And off they went to begin their life as one.

The End.