Title: Gold Wings and Dress Whites

Author: Anaika Skywalker

Author's Email: lindsay30@austarnet.com.au

Rating: PG

Disclaimer: I don't own JAG; I just like to spread my wings occasionally.

Author's Note: I like weddings, I always have. I remember my own, what kind of day it was, how nice it was. However I didn't have a happy ever after and I remember my divorce just as well.  So I like to write a nice happy ever after for my characters, since I still believe in true love and that we all have a soul mate whose just waiting to be found. I know I'm a romantic, but aren't we all?

Debbie: I'm glad you think this is a happy story for all the characters. Thank you for your review.

Gold Wings and Dress Whites

Chapter Twenty-three: Sarah and Matt's Wedding: Part One

Mitchell Estate

June 1st 2001

Washington DC

The night before the wedding

Mac saw her future sister-in-law slip out into the garden and followed her; she'd noticed Sera had been quiet since she'd spoken to her father earlier in the afternoon. "Want some company?"

"Sure," They walked for a while in silence; moonlight lit the garden and surrounding grounds. Family and friends had gathered at the Mitchell home for dinner, Sera had paid little attention to the food or the conversation. Her husband and son had noticed it as she was sure Mac had too, that was why she was there. Leaving it for the moment she asked. "Are you getting nervous?"

"A little," Mac admitted, and then asked. "Would you like to go jogging in the morning?"

"Sure, it's a good way to clear your head on the day of your wedding."

"I know I went jogging with Harm, the morning of yours remember."

Sera smiled recalling that morning. "Oh I remember. I just don't think Matt will pull the same stunt as Harm did."

"You mean sneaking over for a, what's a nice way of putting it?"

"A quickie?" Sera inquired grinning.

"That's it," she answered and they both laughed.

Silence fell over them again as they continued walking.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Mac asked her finally. "Sometimes it helps?"

Sera sighed. "Dad informed me the Liberty Aces will be based at Norfolk, I have a feeling he organized it because I'm in the squadron. And the twins being due in September."

"Would it be so bad?"

"It's not that, he thinks I need a more grounded assignment, that just taking time off want cover it," she hugged herself. "What if he's right Mac, I am being selfish by not wanting to give up flying?"

"No one said you have to give up flying, Sera," she assured as they stopped. "But you do have to think of the twins as well, what they need and they do need their mother as well as their father."

Sighing Sera turned away from her as tears welled in her eyes, it had been eating at her all evening and it hurt more then she could say. "So I am being selfish."

"Oh Sera, that's not what I'm saying," Mac stated, she put her hand on her shoulder. "Would it really hurt to be based at Norfolk for a while? You'd be home at night with your children and your husband. That has to count for something." She saw her nod and the tears as she turned back, coming to her own conclusion. "Sam's sharing her mode swings with you huh?"

"Yeah," she wiped her eyes. "The price you pay for being a twin."

"So what does Harm think about it?" Mac asked her as they started back.

"He likes the idea of having me home, though I think he was more concerned with having to deal with the twins alone." Sera remarked and they both chuckled.

"Not our Harm." Mac mocked lightly.

Sera found that amusing, feeling the stress lift from her shoulders as she slipped her arm around the Marine. "I don't mind sharing my husband with you Mac, I know he's your best friend and you love him too."

"Thanks Sera."

They returned to the house, going in. Harm had been looking for them. "There you are."

"We went for a walk," his wife informed, taking his out stretched hand. "What's up?"

"Tom has something to say to you."

"Oh?"

"Come on, I'll let him explain it."

They went back into the family room; Mac went and sat with her fiancée. Harm and Sera remained standing.

Tom stood. "I wanted to do this in front of everyone," he began. "As some of you know, the Hawks put a bounty on Angel's. Sera's head and since no one was able to get her, the Hawks had to make a decision as to what to do with the money."

"How much money was on my daughters head, Colonel?" Ryan asked, slightly amused.

"Six hundred dollars sir," he admitted, and added. "When our CO and the other CO's involved in the war games found out about the bounty, they weren't happy. They demanded we give Angel an apology and out of our own pay, double the original bounty and the money were to be given to a charity of her chose. So I have a check for twelve hundred dollars here for you to give to any charity you chose. As well as our sincerest apologies."

"And." Matt pushed, knowing what else was ordered.

"And the Hawks also picked out a gift for you for the twins," he nodded to Corey, who brought out two teddy bears from behind his back. Both wore Dress Whites and Gold wings, one had a JAG mill-rind insignia and the other a Line Officers Star.

Sera smiled as her son handed them the bears. "They're fantastic Tom, please thank the Hawks from both Harm and I."

"So we're forgiven for the bounty?" he asked handing her the check.

"Forgiven but not forgotten," she smirked. Then handed the check to AJ. "Sir would you hold onto this until Harm and I can decided on what charity will receive the money?"

"Of course," he took it, putting it safely away. "I have to head back to the office quickly tonight, so I'll put it in the safe."

"Thank you sir."

He and Sydney stood. "With that said, we must be going. Thank you for dinner Ryan, we'll see you tomorrow."

"You certainly will, AJ," he said and he and Tiffany walked them out.

Sera showed her sisters and their husbands the bears, as Harm spoke to Tom. "Nice touch with the teddy bears."

"One of our guy's wives makes them, we told her what we needed and she made them up," he revealed. "They're suitable for newborn's, she made sure of that."

"Thank you,"

"Well we made a mistake of underestimating Sera, we won't do it again."

"Not many do, Tom."

Sera came over to them. "Thank for the bears, Tom."

"You're welcome."

She smiled as she took her husbands hand. "We should head off too."

He nodded. "All right."

"Can I drive?" Corey asked.

Harm dug the keys from his pocket. "Sure," he through them to his son, who caught them.

Mac was surprised. "Now that was something I thought I'd never see."

"He's mellowing, sweetheart." Matt teased.

"Very funny." Harm remarked. "I just happen to trust my son."

"And we get the back seat to ourselves." Sera smirked.

"See big brother, there is always a motive for their reasoning," Shawn told Matt.

"Which I shouldn't be surprised about."

Bud looked worriedly to Harriet. "Does that mean one day I'm going to have to let AJ drive the car?"

"Yes dear," she answered calmly and everyone laughed.

Since it was getting late, everyone who was leaving headed out, that included Matt and Tom, since Mac, Chloe and Emily were staying at the estate.

"What time do you want to go jogging tomorrow, Mac?" Sera asked.

"Oh six hundred."

"Sounds good, I'll pick you up, we'll go to the pack and do a few laps."

"Fine. See if you can drag Harm out of bed too."

"What is this pick on Harm day?" he asked.

"Yes," she answered bluntly.

"Gee thanks."

"You're welcome," she said and laughed.

"Good night Mac."

"Good night Harm."

"Night Mac," Sera bided.

"Night."

One by one they left until it was just Matt and Tom to go. Tom got the keys and started the car, waiting.

Matt drew his fiancé into his arms. "See you tomorrow Sarah Mackenzie."

"You shell Matthew Mitchell."

He lent forward and kissed her, pulling her against him.

Chloe rolled her eyes went back inside, glad Emily was already asleep.

Mac pulled away before she couldn't. "You'd better get going."

"Yeah, home for a cold shower," he grumbled.

"Well just think about tomorrow night," she propositioned going back into his arms. "Just you and me, all alone."

His pulse raced. "Tomorrow night. I'm not sure I can wait that long."

"You use to live here Cobra," she purred making his old call sign sound sexy as hell. "I'm sure you know how to get back here on your own."

Tom groaned out loud. "All right that's enough," he pulled them apart, giving Matt a show towards the car. "You in the car," he then turned to Mac. "There will be no midnight quickies on my watch, now inside bride while I take the groom home."

"Yes sir," she mocked, giving him a salute before rushing back inside.

Tom shook his heard and got into the car. "As for you," he started the engine, as he addressed Matt. "Don't even think about it."

"Not even a little?" Matt teased as they drove away.

"Not even a little," Tom repeated, adding. "You can handle a cold shower for tonight. If you can't ring her up, I'm sure you can find something to chat about."

Matt grinned. "Tom, you're full of ideas tonight. Good ones at that."

"Damn right," he exclaimed and his friend laughed.

Mitchell Estate

2nd June 2001

Day of the wedding

Mac moved restlessly around the guest room, seeing Harriet finish doing Emily's hair.

"Mac, please sit down and relax." Chloe asked for the hundredth time.

She stopped pacing and did so. "Sorry, I guess I'm a little nervous," Her cell phone rang making her jump; she dug it out of her bag and quickly answered it. "Mackenzie."

"Hi Mac, it's Harm."

"Harm, what's wrong?"

"Nothing Mac, everything's fine. Sera and I are at the hospital, Corey's already heading over with the Admiral."

"Why are you at the hospital?"

"Meg went into labor last night, David called us. He needed a little support this morning." Harm told her. "They had a little boy, Mac, Dylan Mackenzie Smith."

Mac smiled. "Is Meg all right?"

"She's fine, tied but happy. Zapper is on a natural high that's going to take him days to come down from."

"Give them both our congratulations."

"I will, we'll see you soon we're heading over now."

"Thanks for letting me know, Harm."

"No problem Mac, see you in a little while. Bye."

"Bye Harm." She hung up, seeing the inquisitive looks. "Meg had a little boy, Dylan Mackenzie Smith."

"Oh that's so sweet," Harriet exclaimed.

Mac agreed. "Harm and Sera are on their way over now and Corey is already heading over with the Admiral."

"Then they should be here soon," Chloe, noted, her excitement was because of Corey, not the Admiral.

"Settle down tiger, they'll get here."

"I know,"

Harriet laughed. "Young love."

"Oh please," Chloe exclaimed. "He's my best friend."

Mac found that amusing, especially since Corey was a Rabb through and through. "Just take your time sweetheart, you have plenty of it."

"I will."

A knock came at the door as Harriet was helping Mac into her dress. "Come in."

"Is everyone decent?" a strong Texan accent asked first.

Mac smiled. "Yes sir."

The door opened and Admiral Chegwidden came in, he closed the door quickly. "Mac you look beautiful."

"Thank you sir," she said blushing. She'd asked the Admiral to give her away since her only family was in Leavenworth.

AJ came out of his daze; remember why he was there. "I have someone out side who wants to see you."

"Oh?"

He opened the door, smiling.

Mac couldn't believe who was standing there. "Uncle Matt?"

Matthew O'Hara smiled and than stepped into the room taking her in his arms. "It's so good to see you Sarah."

"How?"

"Well you'll have to thank Commander Rabb and his wife," her Uncle answered.

"Harm and Sera?"

"Well I got dug out of bed at an ungodly hour, driven to the airport. Put into flight gear and shown to a Tomcat," he explained. "The pilot introduced herself as Angle and said she was flying me to Norfolk. On the way she told me she and Harm had called in a few favors."

Mac smiled and hugged him again. "Let me guess she didn't mention she was married to him until after you'd landed?"

"How did you guess?" He smirked, and then held her at arms length. "You look gorgeous honey."

"Thank you Uncle Matt."

"That certainly explains why Sera looked so tired this morning when she picked you up for your run." Chloe remarked casually.

Uncle Matt turned towards her. "My goodness is this little Chloe?"

The teenager blushed and accepted a hug from him. "I'm not so little now Uncle Matt."

"No you're not, you've grown into a beautiful young lady," he praised.

"Well I couldn't stay a little girl forever," she said blushing.

"Especially with a certain young Rabb chasing her," Harriet teased, then introduce herself. "Lieutenant Harriet Sims-Roberts, sir."

"It's nice to meet you Lieutenant."

"You too sir."

"Now what's this about young Rabb?" Matthew asked Chloe.

"Corey is just a good friend, nothing more."

"And he's Harm's son, correct?"

"Yes sir."

"Well then I'd say you're lucky to have a friend like him, sweetheart," he told her.

"Thank you Uncle Matt."

AJ cleared his throat. "I'd better go see if the Dynamic Duo has arrived, excuse me."

"Thank you Admiral." Mac said sincerely.

"You're welcome Sarah," he said with a smile, and then left the room.

Emily pulled at Matthew's pants leg; she'd come over with Harriet.

He hankered down so he was eye to eye with her. "You must be Emily," he saw her nod. "How do you do, Miss Emily?"

She smiled. "I'm good," she said cheerfully. "Why does Mum call you Uncle Matt, aren't you her dad?"

Matthew saw Mac going to explain, but shook his head. He would handle this, addressing the little girl. "Well Emily, Mac's father passed away, I'm her Uncle, her mother's brother."

"But Mum said you've been like her father."

"Well we're very close," he saw she was a little disappointed. "Why Emily?"

"Well if you were my Mum's dad, you could be my other Grandpa. I have lots of Uncle's. Uncle Michael, Uncle David, Uncle Harm, Uncle Bud and Uncle AJ."

"Well I suppose you do," he agreed, and then winked at Mac. "So I think you'd better just call me Grandpa Matt. How's that?"

She grinned and hugged him. "Thank you Grandpa Matt."

"You're welcome sweetheart," he said, and then gave her another hug. Releasing the little girl he stood. "Shell we get this show on the road, I think you've kept Matt sweating enough."

"Agreed." Mac said smiling.

Harriet handed Mac her bouquet, and she let her Uncle guide her out, Harriet and the girls following.  Leaving the house they crossed to the marquee where the wedding was taking place, tow ushers stood ready to left the heavy material and let them enter.

Before they did, Mac lent close to her Uncle. "How long are they letting you stay?"

Matthew patted her hand where it rested on his arm. "For as long as I like, sweetheart. It seems the President saw fit to pardon me."

As shocked as she was, Mac didn't have time to respond, the ushers pulled the heavy material apart and the music started. Emily went first, then Chloe and Harriet. Matthew tugged on his nieces arm and guided her down the aisle to the man she was about to marry.

To be continued. (Yes there is a part two and no there will be no surprises or maybe there will???)