The Next Morning

0700 Romeo

Mac's Apartment

Harm awoke to find Mac at the counter pouring a cup of coffee. This seemed normal enough, but then she cracked open the guestroom door and returned to her coffee. Then she carried the coffee pot up and down the hall. Returning to the kitchen, she opened the refrigerator and pulled out milk, eggs, butter and bacon. She got out a mixing bowl and started making pancakes. Once done, she carried the bacon up and down the hall as she had the coffee. 

"Mac, what on earth are you doing?" Harm questioned. Mac jumped, not having realized he was awake and watching her.

"Waking the Admiral," she replied. "He didn't eat anything yesterday, so he will be starving. My mother used to wake me this way... it's much nicer than an alarm clock." Sure enough, AJ poked his head out of the guestroom door, sniffing the air.

They all sat down at the breakfast table, joining their hands in a quick prayer. Then AJ spoke. "Mac, I was thinking before I went to sleep last night. I can't parent these twins alone. I need help. Would you consider moving somewhere closer to the new house? I'd pay for any expenses, etc. And we could turn the lease over to Sturgis and Bobbie, so they don't have to spend the first year of marriage living apart until they can find something convenient to the Hill. She's always said she'd like to live here... Please tell me if I am completely out of line, but I don't want to turn these babies over to strangers. If you lived closer, we could have meetings at the house. I'm going to shut up now and let you get a word in."

"No, I don't mind moving, yes I'll help with the girls, and I think giving the apartment to Sturgis is a great idea. Speaking of which, I need to call his father back." With this she got up from the table and moved to the phone, returning a few minutes later." Ok, he agreed to read the scripture Meredith requested, which only leaves Bud. She wants him to read the Hamlet Soliloquy he read for the arts festival."

"Thanks for taking care of all of the arrangements, Mac."

"You're welcome, it was the least I could do for you. You have always been there when I needed you, now it is my turn to return the favor."

After breakfast Harm installed the storage for under the guestroom bed, once again dislodging the cats, and changed the sheets while Mac and AJ went baby shopping. Then all three of them made a visit to the hospital.

1100 Romeo

Bethesda Maternity Ward

Bethesda, MD

Harm looked about ready to bolt from the hospital, so AJ laid a steadying hand on his arm and led him to the nursery window. "Cute, aren't they?"

"Absolutely." Harm replied. "Which one is Harriet's little girl?"

AJ pointed out a small pink-capped head on the left of the row of bassinets right behind the twins. She had her face screwed up tight, and a second later she let loose an ear-piercing wail that could be clearly heard through the window glass. Nurse Robley beckoned them over to the door. She deftly pushed all three bassinets out into the hall before they could wake the others, and then returned to the nursery to puck some bottles out of the warmer, grabbing some burp cloths on her way out the door.  Then the procession headed to Harriet's room.

Once there, Ellie was handed off to Harriet to nurse. AJ took Belle, and Nurse Robley plunked Amelia into Harm's arms. She then handed him a bottle. Imitating AJ, he awkwardly fed her. When he burped her, she took care of business and then settled into the softness of Harm's navy blue sweater. All three babies slept for awhile. Mac slipped out of the room, returning with a stack of diapers, wipes and cream. Right on cue, Harm noticed that the diaper under the hand that was supporting her bottom seemed heavier and warmer. He changed her and then she snuggled back to sleep.

About an hour later, there was a knock on the edge of the doorframe, and they looked up to see Mic Brumby smiling at them. "I stopped by JAG, and they told me where to find you. I'm sorry about your wife, Admiral. But let's have a look at these gorgeous girls. Harriet, Bud sent your camera and a bag of real food."

"Thanks," Harriet smiled gratefully. Mic looked at the babies and then the men left Mac with Harriet and the babies while they set up the cribs for the twins in the tiny little apartment. then they went to Mac's and unpacked their stuff, leaving the crib in its box for now. AJ then went in to JAG HQ, where Mic had stashed the rest of his family for the afternoon.

Mic found his stepdaughter Becky in deep conversation with her mother, Jen Coates and Bobbie Latham. Chinese food boxes covered the desk, and AJ stole a Crab Rangoon from the pile. Jen smiled indulgently. We weren't sure if you would come in at all, sit, so there are boxes for you and the Colonel in the break room. I was going to bring them by later so you didn't have to cook. Or, the guys are in the conference room having pizza."

The next few days they established a routine. They converted the conference room into a nursery, with a corner for Mrs. Brumby. Now that she was so close to her due date she wasn't allowed to be left alone. Mac and Harm switched off days as acting JAG, while AJ wrapped up his case and prepared to represent Harm the following week.

Friday Morning

0900 Romeo

The JAG BULLPEN

     Tiner appeared in the door of the conference room, his face grave. "Mac, you have a phone call. It's Nurse Robley at Bethesda." Mac nodded and went to take the call. A few minutes later she disconnected the phone, and dialed it again. She asked Admiral Morris to send Admiral Chegwidden to the JAG office immediately. He arrived within five minutes, panting from running up the stairs.

"Whar is it, Mac? I know you wouldn't call me out of court except for a genuine emergency."

"I need you to take Commander Rabb to Bethesda. It seems that his girlfriend lied."

"What do you mean?"

" I mean she decided not to have an abortion and didn't tell him. She was going to give it up for adoption and not tell him, and then discovered that due to the new law she couldn't do that." Harm had gone with her to the doctor, and his name was all over her paperwork. So, she decided to just dump the kid on Harm with no warning. She's in labor, I told her you would meet her and her lawyer at Bethesda and sign the papers."

Aj crossed to the door. Opening it, he said "Commander Rabb, could I see you a minute? He thought to himself - 'poor man - he has no idea his entire world is going to twist like the picture in a child's kaleidoscope before close of business today.'