A/N: Sorry for the delay... My employer sent me down to Mexico this past
week and I didn't have my computer handy (plus it's very hard to write
longhand when you've been working 12-14 hour days). Thanks for all the
reviews -- please keep them coming!
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Saturday; 2143 Zulu; Prescott's Home Style Eatery; Washington D.C.
After touring the last home on Eileen's list, Harm and Mac stopped to compare notes and grab a bite to eat. Now, less than an hour later, they sat at the large round table in the corner of the main dining room methodically sorting the MLS printouts into two basic piles: one of homes that merited further discussion and one of those that didn't. Picking up the last MLS sheet, Mac glanced at it before handing it to Harm.
"What about this one? It has possibilities."
"Which one's that?" he asked, eyes skimming down the page. Recognizing the house, he grimaced. "Mac, the place was filthy. If the owners don't bother cleaning the house before it's shown to prospective buyers, doesn't that say something to you about their maintenance habits?" He tossed the page onto the discard pile.
"If they take the appliances with them, who cares if the stove hasn't been cleaned in more than a decade? Besides, I liked the floor plan. And you said yourself that the structure appeared sound."
"I wouldn't be surprised if something significant cropped up in the home inspection." He scrubbed his hands over his face in frustration. "Nothing we looked at really stood out to me. What a way to waste a perfectly good Saturday."
Sipping her water, Mac hesitated. "Are you sure this is really what you want?"
"What do you mean?"
"Harm, getting a house together is an awfully big step. I think we agree that having both of us under one roof would be in the baby's best interest, but aren't you worried about how this is going to affect other aspects of your life?"
"Such as?"
"Mattie, for one. Family Services may very well view our cohabitating as setting a bad example, having a negative influence. I highly doubt any social worker would understand two heterosexual adults -- who have never dated each other, mind you -- having a child and sharing a home. And speaking of dating, you're an intelligent, attractive, single man who is fantastic in the... courtroom," she said, catching the slip just in time. "What about your love life? You deserve better than--"
"Mac." Interrupting, Harm leaned forward and reached across the table to grasp her hand gently in his. "I am *not* having second thoughts about the house. I appreciate your concern, but the truth is, I'm not interested in getting involved with someone else. The three most important people in my life are you, Mattie, and this baby. Nothing anyone can say, including Family Services, will ever change that."
"Really?"
Squeezing her fingers reassuringly, he nodded before giving her his best mega-watt grin. "So you think I'm attractive, huh?"
"I guess. In an arrogant, 'flyboy' sort of way," she chuckled, relaxing. "Why don't we give Eileen a call? We'll need to schedule second showings if we want Mattie to see the homes that made it to the semi-finals."
* * * * * * * * * *
Sunday; 1526 Zulu; Mattie and Jennifer's Apartment; North of Union Station
With an exaggerated sigh, Mattie looked at the flashcard Jennifer held in her outstretched hand. It was blank except for one bold word: TENER
"Tengo, tienes, tiene, tenemos, tienen."
"Good. Now can you use it in a sentence?" Shuffling the pile of cards, Jen smiled slyly. Mattie flopped back onto the couch with a groan.
"Yo tengo mucho hambre. Come on, Jen, I'm *starving*. Can't we do this after lunch?"
"No more food until you're done with vocab. This would go faster if you didn't keep stopping for snack breaks." Just as she was about to show the teenager another card, a knock sounded on the front door and Harm poked his head into the room.
"Good morning," he greeted. Pushing the door open, he leaned casually against the jamb. "Am I interrupting?"
"Estamos estudiando español," Jennifer said with a stern look towards her roommate. "Ms. Grace has a Spanish test in the morning and we still have to go over her vocabulary list."
"And she's being a slave driver." Sticking out her tongue, Mattie tossed a pillow in Jen's direction.
"Ah, I see. Do you ladies care to join us for a late breakfast? I made pancakes."
"Your famous buttermilk pancakes? I am *so* there!" Mattie said gleefully as she scrambled off the couch and headed for the door. Not only was this the perfect excuse to get out of studying, Harm was a great cook despite all his protests to the contrary. "Did you make waffles too?"
"Yes, I made waffles too," he teased as they made the short trip down the hall to his loft. "I thought I'd give my girls an assortment of breakfast delights."
Following Mattie past Harm into the apartment, Jennifer wasn't surprised to see Colonel MacKenzie sitting at the island enthusiastically attacking a syrup-laden waffle. She and the Commander had certainly been spending a lot of time together lately out of the office. Ever since that first 'date', which Mac had so adamantly insisted was not really a date, Jennifer had wondered if the two senior officers had begun seeing each other romantically. Their professional relationship at JAG appeared unaffected, but living in the adjacent apartment Jennifer often saw them together outside of the office. All evidence seemed to suggest a deeper involvement than simply friendship.
"Hi guys, come on in and help yourselves. There's plenty to go around."
"Wow Harm, this looks great! You made everything yourself?" Mattie complimented as she and Jennifer sat down and started filling their plates.
"Mac helped a little." Grinning, he crossed over to the refrigerator and pulled out an unopened carton of orange juice. "Actually, there's something we want to talk to you about."
"Okay. You talk, we'll eat."
"Fair enough," Harm laughed. Setting two glasses down on the island before him, he opened the juice container. "Mac and I have been friends for a long time. We've been through a lot together over the years, seen each other through both good times and bad--"
"Tell us something we don't know."
"Mattie, don't talk with your mouth full. Anyway, despite all that's happened in our lives since we first met, Mac and I have remained... close. Even when we weren't on speaking terms, we stayed good friends. I can't explain it, and I don't think Mac can either." Seeing her confirming nod, he took a deep breath. "A few years ago, right before I returned to active flight status, Mac and I made a pact."
"What kind of a pact?"
Pouring juice into the glasses, Harm answered. "At the time we were both wondering if we would ever have the opportunity to have families of our own. What I mean to say is that we were getting older and our prospects for having kids was diminishing. Basically, we agreed to have a child together if neither of us was involved with someone else in five years."
"Seriously? That is *so* cool!" Mattie's eyes widened and a grin spread across her face. However, a moment later she shot him a quizzical look. "But didn't you tell me you went back to flying in 1999? Harm, it's been five years."
"More than, actually," he replied, passing her a glass.
"I don't understand. You mean to tell us that you and Mac are planning to have a baby together? When is this happening?" Taking a swig of juice, Mattie glanced at an equally bewildered Jennifer.
"According to my doctor, I'm due March 29th."
Startled by Mac's admission, Mattie reflexively inhaled her orange juice and began coughing violently. The next few moments were reigned by chaos as Harm rushed to Mattie's side and began pounding on her back. In the meantime, Jennifer's mind was in overdrive. Her suspicions about the Colonel and Commander's dating status had been one thing, but a *baby*? Never in a million years!
Finally, as the spasms started to ease Mattie looked apologetically up at Harm. "Wow... I don't know... what to say," she coughed. Wiping her watering eyes with the back of one hand, her eyes darted from Harm over to Mac. "A baby? Really?" Mac nodded with a joyful smile.
"Congratulations ma'am, sir," Jennifer grinned. "I'm so happy for you!"
"Thanks, Jen. We're pretty excited." Relieved that Mattie had stopped sputtering, Harm took a step backward. "There's one more thing you both need to know about."
"You're having twins?"
"The ultrasound only detected one heartbeat, so I think we're safe for the moment," Mac chuckled.
"Okay then, I give up."
Meeting Mattie and Jennifer's questioning gazes, Harm dove right in. "Mac and I want to raise this child together, so we've started looking at houses. Jennifer, I know this puts you in a rather awkward position since I talked you into the current living arrangements in the first place. With your apartment on a month-to-month lease, you're more than welcome to take the loft. That way you can have a real social life for a change."
"Sir, I couldn't impose on you--"
"It wouldn't be an imposition. But if you'd rather look for something else then that's fine too. Either way, you can live with us until you've worked something out."
"Or we could just stay roomies," Mattie piped up. "Then Harm and Mac would have two built-in babysitters, instead of one." The sound of laughter ricocheted through the space.
"We don't have to worry about it right now," Harm grinned after a few moments. "But in the meantime, you ladies had better finish your breakfasts. You'll need all the energy you can get if we're going to go house hunting today."
Mattie obediently reached for her fork and stabbed a piece of pancake. "House hunting? When do we leave?" Harm looked down at his watch, but Mac was faster.
"Forty-four minutes."
"Sweet, no more Spanish!" Mattie hooted happily.
"Not so fast, young lady." Flashing his ward a mischievous smile, Harm patted her on the shoulder. "There'll be plenty of time for reviewing flashcards while we're in the car."
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To be continued...
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Saturday; 2143 Zulu; Prescott's Home Style Eatery; Washington D.C.
After touring the last home on Eileen's list, Harm and Mac stopped to compare notes and grab a bite to eat. Now, less than an hour later, they sat at the large round table in the corner of the main dining room methodically sorting the MLS printouts into two basic piles: one of homes that merited further discussion and one of those that didn't. Picking up the last MLS sheet, Mac glanced at it before handing it to Harm.
"What about this one? It has possibilities."
"Which one's that?" he asked, eyes skimming down the page. Recognizing the house, he grimaced. "Mac, the place was filthy. If the owners don't bother cleaning the house before it's shown to prospective buyers, doesn't that say something to you about their maintenance habits?" He tossed the page onto the discard pile.
"If they take the appliances with them, who cares if the stove hasn't been cleaned in more than a decade? Besides, I liked the floor plan. And you said yourself that the structure appeared sound."
"I wouldn't be surprised if something significant cropped up in the home inspection." He scrubbed his hands over his face in frustration. "Nothing we looked at really stood out to me. What a way to waste a perfectly good Saturday."
Sipping her water, Mac hesitated. "Are you sure this is really what you want?"
"What do you mean?"
"Harm, getting a house together is an awfully big step. I think we agree that having both of us under one roof would be in the baby's best interest, but aren't you worried about how this is going to affect other aspects of your life?"
"Such as?"
"Mattie, for one. Family Services may very well view our cohabitating as setting a bad example, having a negative influence. I highly doubt any social worker would understand two heterosexual adults -- who have never dated each other, mind you -- having a child and sharing a home. And speaking of dating, you're an intelligent, attractive, single man who is fantastic in the... courtroom," she said, catching the slip just in time. "What about your love life? You deserve better than--"
"Mac." Interrupting, Harm leaned forward and reached across the table to grasp her hand gently in his. "I am *not* having second thoughts about the house. I appreciate your concern, but the truth is, I'm not interested in getting involved with someone else. The three most important people in my life are you, Mattie, and this baby. Nothing anyone can say, including Family Services, will ever change that."
"Really?"
Squeezing her fingers reassuringly, he nodded before giving her his best mega-watt grin. "So you think I'm attractive, huh?"
"I guess. In an arrogant, 'flyboy' sort of way," she chuckled, relaxing. "Why don't we give Eileen a call? We'll need to schedule second showings if we want Mattie to see the homes that made it to the semi-finals."
* * * * * * * * * *
Sunday; 1526 Zulu; Mattie and Jennifer's Apartment; North of Union Station
With an exaggerated sigh, Mattie looked at the flashcard Jennifer held in her outstretched hand. It was blank except for one bold word: TENER
"Tengo, tienes, tiene, tenemos, tienen."
"Good. Now can you use it in a sentence?" Shuffling the pile of cards, Jen smiled slyly. Mattie flopped back onto the couch with a groan.
"Yo tengo mucho hambre. Come on, Jen, I'm *starving*. Can't we do this after lunch?"
"No more food until you're done with vocab. This would go faster if you didn't keep stopping for snack breaks." Just as she was about to show the teenager another card, a knock sounded on the front door and Harm poked his head into the room.
"Good morning," he greeted. Pushing the door open, he leaned casually against the jamb. "Am I interrupting?"
"Estamos estudiando español," Jennifer said with a stern look towards her roommate. "Ms. Grace has a Spanish test in the morning and we still have to go over her vocabulary list."
"And she's being a slave driver." Sticking out her tongue, Mattie tossed a pillow in Jen's direction.
"Ah, I see. Do you ladies care to join us for a late breakfast? I made pancakes."
"Your famous buttermilk pancakes? I am *so* there!" Mattie said gleefully as she scrambled off the couch and headed for the door. Not only was this the perfect excuse to get out of studying, Harm was a great cook despite all his protests to the contrary. "Did you make waffles too?"
"Yes, I made waffles too," he teased as they made the short trip down the hall to his loft. "I thought I'd give my girls an assortment of breakfast delights."
Following Mattie past Harm into the apartment, Jennifer wasn't surprised to see Colonel MacKenzie sitting at the island enthusiastically attacking a syrup-laden waffle. She and the Commander had certainly been spending a lot of time together lately out of the office. Ever since that first 'date', which Mac had so adamantly insisted was not really a date, Jennifer had wondered if the two senior officers had begun seeing each other romantically. Their professional relationship at JAG appeared unaffected, but living in the adjacent apartment Jennifer often saw them together outside of the office. All evidence seemed to suggest a deeper involvement than simply friendship.
"Hi guys, come on in and help yourselves. There's plenty to go around."
"Wow Harm, this looks great! You made everything yourself?" Mattie complimented as she and Jennifer sat down and started filling their plates.
"Mac helped a little." Grinning, he crossed over to the refrigerator and pulled out an unopened carton of orange juice. "Actually, there's something we want to talk to you about."
"Okay. You talk, we'll eat."
"Fair enough," Harm laughed. Setting two glasses down on the island before him, he opened the juice container. "Mac and I have been friends for a long time. We've been through a lot together over the years, seen each other through both good times and bad--"
"Tell us something we don't know."
"Mattie, don't talk with your mouth full. Anyway, despite all that's happened in our lives since we first met, Mac and I have remained... close. Even when we weren't on speaking terms, we stayed good friends. I can't explain it, and I don't think Mac can either." Seeing her confirming nod, he took a deep breath. "A few years ago, right before I returned to active flight status, Mac and I made a pact."
"What kind of a pact?"
Pouring juice into the glasses, Harm answered. "At the time we were both wondering if we would ever have the opportunity to have families of our own. What I mean to say is that we were getting older and our prospects for having kids was diminishing. Basically, we agreed to have a child together if neither of us was involved with someone else in five years."
"Seriously? That is *so* cool!" Mattie's eyes widened and a grin spread across her face. However, a moment later she shot him a quizzical look. "But didn't you tell me you went back to flying in 1999? Harm, it's been five years."
"More than, actually," he replied, passing her a glass.
"I don't understand. You mean to tell us that you and Mac are planning to have a baby together? When is this happening?" Taking a swig of juice, Mattie glanced at an equally bewildered Jennifer.
"According to my doctor, I'm due March 29th."
Startled by Mac's admission, Mattie reflexively inhaled her orange juice and began coughing violently. The next few moments were reigned by chaos as Harm rushed to Mattie's side and began pounding on her back. In the meantime, Jennifer's mind was in overdrive. Her suspicions about the Colonel and Commander's dating status had been one thing, but a *baby*? Never in a million years!
Finally, as the spasms started to ease Mattie looked apologetically up at Harm. "Wow... I don't know... what to say," she coughed. Wiping her watering eyes with the back of one hand, her eyes darted from Harm over to Mac. "A baby? Really?" Mac nodded with a joyful smile.
"Congratulations ma'am, sir," Jennifer grinned. "I'm so happy for you!"
"Thanks, Jen. We're pretty excited." Relieved that Mattie had stopped sputtering, Harm took a step backward. "There's one more thing you both need to know about."
"You're having twins?"
"The ultrasound only detected one heartbeat, so I think we're safe for the moment," Mac chuckled.
"Okay then, I give up."
Meeting Mattie and Jennifer's questioning gazes, Harm dove right in. "Mac and I want to raise this child together, so we've started looking at houses. Jennifer, I know this puts you in a rather awkward position since I talked you into the current living arrangements in the first place. With your apartment on a month-to-month lease, you're more than welcome to take the loft. That way you can have a real social life for a change."
"Sir, I couldn't impose on you--"
"It wouldn't be an imposition. But if you'd rather look for something else then that's fine too. Either way, you can live with us until you've worked something out."
"Or we could just stay roomies," Mattie piped up. "Then Harm and Mac would have two built-in babysitters, instead of one." The sound of laughter ricocheted through the space.
"We don't have to worry about it right now," Harm grinned after a few moments. "But in the meantime, you ladies had better finish your breakfasts. You'll need all the energy you can get if we're going to go house hunting today."
Mattie obediently reached for her fork and stabbed a piece of pancake. "House hunting? When do we leave?" Harm looked down at his watch, but Mac was faster.
"Forty-four minutes."
"Sweet, no more Spanish!" Mattie hooted happily.
"Not so fast, young lady." Flashing his ward a mischievous smile, Harm patted her on the shoulder. "There'll be plenty of time for reviewing flashcards while we're in the car."
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To be continued...
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