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:

Winjan: Thanks for the kick in the six I needed to go back and rewrite chapter 25 and for the nice words concerning chapter 26. I hope you enjoy the chapters to come.

DD2: Sorry for worrying you, glad you liked it though.

Laura carr: Thanks for the review.

Sann3187: I felt I had to add the last chapter and despite the fact it took a while to write. In the end I left a little of what I felt within it.

Gold Wings and Dress Whites

Chapter Twenty-seven: Christmas Wishes

Vietnam Memorial Wall

Christmas Eve

24th of December 2001

Snow lightly fell, chilling the air, not that anyone really noticed. Most were there to honor someone, to visit a brother, father or husband, a love one lost to ravishes of war. At one part of the wall a family stood together, three in Naval uniform, supporting heavy coats. A teenager stood beside them, wearing a heavy coat also, the small bundle in his arms was rugged up against the cold, as was the small bundle in his mother's arms.

Harmon Rabb put his arm around his wife and son. Not only was it Christmas Eve, but it was their wedding anniversary. So much had happened in one year, to them and to the world. He reached out with his other hand and brushed his fingers over the gold lettering that made his father's name. "Merry Christmas Dad."

Sergei Rabb reached out and touched them also. "Merry Christmas, Dad."

Sera Rabb did the same after resettling her son. "Merry Christmas Dad."

Corey Rabb, settled his baby sister and touched the lettering too. "Merry Christmas Grandpa from the twins and I."

"We should be going," Harm said at last and they all agreed walking away from the wall, the snow crunching beneath their shoes.

Sera felt a shiver ran up her spin and stopped glancing back, seeing no one behind them.

Harm stopped also. "What's wrong?"

She smiled and shook her head. "Nothing," she dismissed and continued with him. Little Harm now asleep snuggled against her, secure in her arms, her husband's hand on the middle of her back. She had a feeling another Rabb had just wished them a Merry Christmas in his own way.

At the SUV, Harm took his daughter from his son; Corey and Sergei had come in the Jeep. "Drive carefully, we'll see you at the Admiral's."

"You too brother." Sergei insisted.

"We will," he assured putting Katherine, the eldest of the twins by two minutes, in her car seat. Her brother was asleep in his seat. Harm climbed into the warm of the SUV, starting it up and putting his seat belt on.

Sera, was already to go. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," he gave her a smile and backed the car out, waiting until Corey had done the same with the Jeep and drove behind them.

The rest of the JAG staff was already at the Admiral's when they arrived; they knew that by the number of cars. Sergei took one of baby bags for Sera, she carried her son and Harm had their daughter in his arms, both were now asleep. Corey had the other baby bag.

The Admiral opened the door, letting them in. "About time you showed up."

"Sorry sir, the roads were busy tonight." Harm apologized.

"No need to be sorry, you have to take it easy with these two on board," he reassured. "Come and put them down on my bed, let them sleep."

"Thank you sir." Sera said, smiling warmly.

He took the baby bags from Corey and Sergei and showed them to the main bedroom, putting the bathroom light on before closing the door so only a little light shown through, keeping the room dim.

Sera lay her son on the bed, then took her daughter from her husband and laid her beside her brother. Arranging the pillows around them so if they rolled over they wouldn't fall off the bed. Placing a gentle kiss on each of their foreheads, she got up and followed the Admiral and Harm out, leaving the baby bag's by the door. They rejoined everyone in the living room.

Matt gave his sister a hug. "Hi sweetheart."

"Hi Mattie."

"You look tied, are the twins keeping you up?"

"No, early meetings and long days," she answered, and than smiled. "I'm fine."

"Okay."

Harm was talking with Mac and Harriet. "Where's little AJ?" he asked the Lieutenant.

"In the spare room asleep, he was determine to stay up to see his Uncle Harm and Aunt Sera, but in the end exhaustion won out," she mused.

"We'll stop by tomorrow and play with him."

"Thank you sir, he's missing his daddy."

Mac put a hand on the younger woman's arm. "Just like his mummy."

"Yes Ma'am," she admitted.

Sera and Matt joined them, going to their respective spouses.

The Admiral called everyone together as drinks were past around. "I'd like to say a few words," he began; Sydney took his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "We've been through so much this year, challengers within work and within our personnel lives. I feel privileged to have you all here tonight to share Christmas Eve with Sydney and I."

Sera glanced at her watch, then over at the door. They were late.

Harm saw her doing it. "What's up?" He whispered as the Admiral continued.

"The Cag is late."

"He'll get here."

She glanced back again, smiling. "You were right," she mused. "Admiral may I interrupt?"

"Go a head, Sera."

"Thank you sir," she moved to stand next to him. "Harm and I thought since it was Christmas, it wasn't fair that Harriet and little AJ should have to spend it alone. So we decided to do something about that."

The door opened and two Naval officers came in. Only one though was the person Harriet Sims-Roberts wanted to see.

"Bud," she squealed and rushed over to him, nearly jumping into his arms.

He held her tightly against him as Keeter patted him on the back and went over to the others.

"Nice work, Angel," the Admiral said quietly.

"Thank you sir. You could say for Harriet, Santa came early this year."

He chuckled softly. "He did indeed."

Rabb's Residence

MacLean, Virginia

25th of December

Christmas Day

Sarah Mackenzie-Mitchell stood in her husband's arms watching the twins being feed, Matt had his hands on his wife's slightly swollen stomach where they're child grew within her.

Emily had been watching with fascination as Harm gave baby Katherine her bottle from where she sat in Sergei's arms, now she was asleep her head on his thigh. Baby Harm was nearly asleep in his mother's arms as he drank his bottle.

Sergei and Emily were seated on the floor near the Christmas tree; he'd cleared up all the wrapping paper from the presents before the little girl had come to sit with him in his arms.

Corey and Chloe was seated on the other side of the tree, even with their time apart since the wedding, they'd picked up where they'd left off. They'd even brought each other presents.

"Are you glad you came?" Matt asked softly in his wife's ear.

"Yes, are you?"

"Mmm, come for a walk," he urged and they slipped out of the room. Grabbing their coats they went outside, walking hand in hand. "Do you know if they've made a decision yet?"

She shook her head. "Harm hasn't said anything."

"It's a good career move," Matt noted.

"It is," she agreed. "Just as the job offer at 29 Palms is."

"True."

"We need to tell the Admiral our decision soon."

"I know," he slipped his arm around her. "Doing it now would be a good time, with Emily being young, the baby coming."

They stopped and stood in each other's arms. "It sounds like you wouldn't mind the move," she mused.

"Well we both be stationed together, you running the JAG office,"

"You being the Pentagon's representative," she added. "Doing the odd trip back to the Pentagon."

"Which we can survive, we're Marine's."

She laughed. "That we can," she agreed. "So I guess we're going to 29 Palms."

"I guess we are." He tipped her chin up and kissed her. "Lets get back into the warm."

"Good idea."

Back inside the conversation was centered on career moves also.

"So have you and Sera made a decision, brother?" Sergei asked Harm.

He nodded. "We have," he was gentle patting his daughters back, she was at the crock of his shoulder, a cloth nappy over his shoulder encase she brought anything up. Sera, was doing the same with baby Harm.

"And?"

"And we think it would be a could time to do it, while the twins are small."

"And I can go back to a squadron later on." Sera noted. "Not that I'll really be coming out of the loop, I'll have to remain qualified for what I'll be doing and occasionally I'll be spending time on carriers anyway."

"What about Zapper?" he asked

"David has agreed to the posting too, as has Meg. They're looking forward to the move."

"You could be having Mum as an instructor, Uncle Sergei," Corey smirked.

"I would be honored," Sergei remarked.

"Thank you Sergei," she said grinning.

"You are welcome sister dear."

Mac and Matt re-entered the room, they sat together near Harm and Sera. "We have an announcement?" he revealed.

"We're excepting a transfer to 29 Palms in San Diego." Mac declared. "I'll be heading up JAG there and Matt will be the Pentagon representative."

Harm and Sera glanced at each other, then back at the couple. "I guess we're not the only ones leaving than." Harm stated.

"You decided?" it was a rhetorical question but one Matt had to ask.

"We did. Pensacola is a good posting for both of us," Sera answered. "Harm can sort out JAG and I get to shape the next generation of aviators."

"And you can go back to a carrier later," Mac stated.

"I can, I'll remain qualified," she agreed. "And I get to be with the twins, see them grow up."

"I guess next Christmas is going to be very different." Chloe said matter-of-factly.

Corey gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "We'll still get to see each other on the holidays and we can also email each other."

"I know," she said softly.

Sera moved to get up. "I think it's time to put these two down for their nap."

Harm stood with her and they carried the twins into the nursery, managing to change their diapers without waking them before settling them in their cots. They stood together in the doorway, Harm holding his wife in his arms. "Are you sure about this?" He asked her quietly. "It's a big step for you?"

"And you. You'll be running the JAG office."

"I can do that, I'm concerned about you. You're an aviator, Sera, it's what you love."

She turned in his arms. "I love you, the twins and Corey more. Just having them with us has shown me that," she said sincerely.

He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her. "I love you too, babe. Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas, Harm."

To be continued…

(Happy Holidays. I'm taking a little break. See you all in the New Year. But don't let that stop you from reviewing – AS)