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 have to say this wasn't the easiest of chapters to write; there was so much I wanted to stay but felt I couldn't. It isn't the easiest of subjects and I wanted to approach it in a way that looked not at what happened but at what everyone was feeling. I hope that makes sense.
Winjan: I know you were disappointed with the separate DFC ceremonies, so I went back and rewrote the whole chapter. So I hope you like it better. Let me know please?
Uzma: Thanks for your review; I'm glad you liked the story. I hope you like the rewritten chapter 25.
Gold Wings and Dress Whites
Chapter Twenty-six: To say a little pray
Rabb Residence
MacLean, Virginia
Harm pulled into the driveway of his home, shutting the engine off he pulled the keys out and hurried inside.
His mother was waiting. "Has there been any word?"
"He was found, unconscious but alive, Mac's with him at the moment," he answered her.
Trish hugged her son. "Thank God for that," she whispered. "Frank and Corey are both asleep, I'll tell them in the morning."
"Where are Sera and the twins?"
"In the nursery, she hasn't left their side since she came home."
"I'll talk to her," Harm said, and then kissed his mother's head. "Go to bed Mum, get some rest."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm sure."
She nodded and headed for the spare room, thanking God along the way she had her son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren with her and Frank that night.
Taking a deep breath, Harm left it out slowly and walked towards the nursery. The twins were fourteen days old, it wasn't supposed to be a day of pain and anguish, but September 11th had turned into that. The whole country, the whole world had been given a rude awakening to the horrors of terrorism.
Walking into the nursery he saw his wife in the dim light sitting between the two cots hugging her knees to her chest, their children asleep. She'd been taking the twins to Norfolk to visit the squadron, Trish had gone with her and they'd heard on the radio what had happened. Sera had quickly been recalled to duty, leaving Trish to take the twins home and wait, just as every man, woman and child was doing. Unknown to Sera though, Matt had been at the Pentagon when it had been hit. It wasn't until she'd been in the air that she remembered it was his day to go. It hit her suddenly he brother could be dead. Pushing it to the back of her mind she'd gone on with her duty, for him. Matt would never give up and neither would she.
Harm went further into the nursery, kneeling down in front of his wife, who still wore her flight suite, having obviously come straight from the base. "They found him honey, he's fine."
Tears streamed down her face, as she comprehended what he'd said. "He's all right?"
"He's fine babe, Mac's with him."
She released her hold on her legs and hugged her husband instead, crying softly in relief as he held her.
Harm held her, rubbing her back. God he wanted to fall apart too, but he needed to be strong for Sera. His turn would come, but not right now. Now he had to be strong. "Mac is pregnant. She told me while we were waiting," he said softly. "She hadn't even told Matt at the time," he heard her sob's subsiding. "I told her Matt was too stubborn to die, that he would be around to see his child born and grow up. I promised her."
"And you always keep your promises." Sera whispered.
"I do," he kissed her forehead. "I love you Sera."
"I love you too, Harm."
"Come on sweetheart, lets get you to bed," he stood and helped her up, guiding her out of the nursery.
After taking a shower together, Harm went and locked up and turned out the lights before joining his wife in their bed. They lay there holding each other. Sera fell asleep in his arms, exhausted.
As he held her, tears slid down his cheeks. He didn't know what he would of done if he'd lost her or the twins, if they were no longer in his life. God all those people, fathers, mothers, brother, sisters. So many people had lost their lives.
"Harm," Sera woke seeing the tears. She wiped them away and kissed his lips gently. "It's okay babe, it's okay." She whispered. "We'll be okay."
He just hoped she was right, but mostly he just hoped not only the people effected would recover but the world also.
Bethesda Naval Hospital
Maryland.
Admiral Chegwidden stood in the doorway of the hospital room; silently thanking God his officer was alive to hear he was going to become a father. Thanking God Sarah Mackenzie-Mitchell had her husband back, alive.
Sydney Weldon came up beside him. "AJ?"
He ushered her out of the room and closing the door. "Thanks for coming."
"Of course I'd come AJ," she hugged him. "Are you all right?"
Nodding he held her tight. "Mac is pregnant, she's tell Matt now."
"Oh AJ," she saw the worry in his eyes. "It's not over, is it?"
"No, this is only the start."
Inside the room, Matt was hugging his wife. "You're sure?"
"I'm sure," she said, tears in her eyes.
"God, Sarah, don't cry," he insisted. "Have you told Emily?"
"No, only the Admiral and Harm know."
He caressed her cheek. "Our baby."
She nodded smiling despite her fears. "Our baby," she laid her head on his chest, feeling him stroke her hair. She had almost lost him, lost the father of her child, the man she loved with all her heart and soul.
"I love you Sarah," he whispered.
"I love you too," she told him.
In the waiting room, the Admiral and Sydney saw Admiral Mitchell, his wife and ex-wife coming down the hall.
"Admiral how is my son?" Ryan asked him.
"A concussion, and two broken ribs," AJ answered. "Apparently a young Corporal pushed him out of the way."
"Thank God."
"Mac is in with him at the moment."
"Thank you for staying AJ," Rebecca said.
"I wouldn't be anywhere else."
She smiled warmly. "Thank you anyway."
"Yes AJ, thank you," Ryan agreed.
"Has anyone let Sera know or Sam and Shawn?" Tiffany asked concerned.
"Harm went home a few minutes ago, I spoke to Shawn, she and her husband are both on duty tonight. She said she'd go and ring Sam." AJ answered.
"You must be exhausted, Admiral," she noted. "Why don't you head home?"
"Yes AJ," Ryan decided. "We'll stay."
He nodded, seeing Sydney thought it was a good idea too. "Tell Mac not to come in for a few days."
"I will. Thanks again AJ."
"Matt is a part of my family too, Ryan, both he and Mac are."
"I know."
"Come on AJ," Sydney urged.
They bided them good night and left the hospital, Sydney followed AJ back to his place. Inside he sat down, resting his head in his hands.
She sat next to him. "Would you like something to eat?"
"No," he looked up; sitting back he drew her into his arms. "I just want to hold you."
"We can do that," she said gently. "For as long as you like."
At that point he considered forever, but even that didn't seem like a possibility. So he'd take tonight and tomorrow night, and any other night she'd give him - as long as they were together.
To be continued…