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Luckily I managed to grab Mac before she hit the floor.
"Sarah!" I yelled lightly hitting her face.
"Sarah!" I said again, but got no response.
She opened her eyes three agonizing minutes later, and managed to sit down in a chair.
"He's-he's got pneumonia?" she whispered, grabbing both of my hands in hers.
I nodded, not quite wanting to believe it myself.
"Harm, we have to go home. Now," she said desperately.
I nodded and looked out the window, watching as the rain fell. As much as I hoped we were going to be on the next helo out of this hell hole, I knew it wasn't going to happen. It was already starting to flood here. As long as it was raining, we weren't leaving anytime soon.
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(AJ's POV)
I watched as Sturgis's face turn from concern to horror. I sighed and shook my head. It was bad news, but not that kind.
"A company of Marines found Harm and Mac yesterday while trying to get away from some rebels. They had minor injures, but are otherwise okay."
"But?" he said, knowing I had more to tell.
"But, it has rained over six inches at the base already, with no sign of it stopping. So until the wether gets better, all flights have been suspended."
"How long sir?"
"I don't know. It's monsoon season in Liberia, so it could be another couple of days or even another couple weeks."
"Do the boys know yet sir?"
"Yes I told them as soon as I got the word. They took it well considering that it could be awhile longer until they would be able to see them. Harm promised to call the boys tonight."
"Do they know about Troy?"
"Yes, Harm is probably going to be calling later to check up on him. What did the doctor say today?"
"That he was going to keep the chest tube in awhile longer, and that the doctors are want to move him to Shady Grove Children's hospital."
"But that's in Maryland!"
"I know sir. But the doctors say that they have better equipped medical treatment there. They want to fly him out there, first thing in the morning."
"Damn," I said rubbing my hands over my first. Can't this family ever catch a break?
"Is there something else sir," he said looking me over carefully.
"There is...it turns out that Mac, is well pregnant. Four months to be exact."
"She's what?"
"Pregnant. The doctor at the base confirmed it."
"That's great!"
"Well it certainly is the best news that we've gotten so far," I said trying to sound happier. "Why don't you go home and catch some shuteye Commander, I'll stay with Troy tonight."
"Are you sure sir? Who is staying with the boys?"
"Tiner and Coates are staying with the boys tonight. Go Commander, that's not a request."
"Yes sir, thank you sir," he said and ruffled Troy's hair before he left.
Once I was sure that Sturgis was gone, I moved my chair closer to Troy's bed and whispered, "time to get better kiddo. Your Mom and Dad are coming home soon."
I stayed with Troy that whole night, and comforted him when he woke up crying. I know I was no substitute for Harm and Mac, but until they got home, I had to be there for him.
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(AJ's POV)
I was called into work unexpectedly a week after we got the news about Harm and Mac, and didn't know who else to call. Harm and Mac's babysitter was sick, Sturgis was watching the boys, Bud and Harriet still had their hands full with there own two boys, and I needed Singer, Tiner and Coats with me at the office, so there was no one to sit with Troy. In one last ditch effort, I made one last call, knowing I had no other option.
He picked up on the first ring, and I just prayed he wasn't working.
"Webb? I need a favor...."
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(Webb's POV)
I can't believe I was here. I couldn't believed I agreed I to do this.
I moved my chair closer to Troy's bed, just as he was opening his eyes for the first time today. The Admiral had told me he had been sleeping awhile, with his high fever and all of the medication that he had been given.
"Hey buddy," I whispered grabbing his hand.
Buddy? Where had that come from. I was suppose to be a man who showed no emotion, why was I all of a sudden getting so sappy?
"Want Momma and Dada," he whispered.
"They'll be hope soon," I said knowing that wasn't really true. The rain still hadn't let up, and it was impossible for me to get them here any sooner. Damn rain. I handed Troy some water, and soon he fell weekly back on to the pillow. Poor guy.
"Mr. Webb can you tell me a 'tory?" he asked in barely above a whisper.
I knew he was going to fall asleep, so I decided just to go with it.
"What do you want to hear?"
"A 'tory about mommy and daddy," he said turning to look at me.
I knew Harm and Mac occasionally told the kids stories about their adventures, so I gave him a week smile and decided one with a happy ended. Praying that this story would be a happy ending as well.
"Well it all started in a rose garden...."
*************
Three weeks.
It's been three weeks since Harm and I were found, and now, finally, we were on our way home. I look over at Harm, and realize that he must be a million miles away, even though he is sitting just a few feet from me. We were fifteen minutes from Andrews and he hasn't said one word to me since we got to the states. What is bothering him?
"Harm?" I ask. After a few minutes he finally looks at me.
"Yeah Mac?"
"You okay? You've been kinda quiet," I ask hoping he'll talk to me rather then crawl back into his shell.
"Sorry Sarah, I was just thinking," he say and turns to face me.
"About what?"
"Just everything that has happened since we've been missing. I mean we missed the boys fifth birthday party. We missed Harriet having her baby, and we weren't there for Troy when he was taken to the hospital, and then moved to Shady Grove. We weren't there when he got his chest tube out nor were we there when he got out of the hospital..." he says sounding somewhat defeated.
"But you know what we were there for?' I ask teasing him.
"What?"
"Well I think it is safe to say that we were both there when I got pregnant," I said, knowing that would make him smile.
He laughs, "okay Marine you got me there."
We both laugh and enjoy a comfortable silence the rest of the way home.
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(Webb's POV)
We waited patiently at Andrews for the cod to land. It has been almost four months now since Harm and Mac have been home, and just about everyone from the office, including the media, who got wind of the story has come out to greet them.
The boys looked on edge as the plane finally landed. They knew that it would take a few moments for their parents to get off, but they looked as though they couldn't wait a minute longer.
When I finally spotted them, they looked much different then I expected, granted I knew they wouldn't look like they had come from the spa or anything, they just looked different. Both a little thinner, and both were limping a little. I smiled when I saw that Mac was already starting to show a bit.
The kids, all except for Troy, whom Sturgis was still holding, ran to Harm and Mac. Harm picked up both twins, while Mac clung to Matt. All had tears in their eyes, and I knew the media was just eating this up. Damn press.
Minutes later they made their way over to us, with Mac holding the twins and Harm holding Matt.
Sturgis handed Tory over to Harm and Mac, and both clung to their youngest son. I knew they were worried, and hell I was to. The kid just looked so pale.
As soon as their family moment was over, They turned their attention to their boss and snapped to attention.
"At ease you two. And welcome home."
TBC
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