Monday;
1457 Zulu;
JAG Headquarters;
Falls Church, Virginia
"Lieutenant Sims, if you would do the honors."
Beaming, Harriet carefully divested her husband of his jacket before helping him don one with the stripes befitting his new rank of Lieutenant Commander. Then, running one hand down his arm, she leaned forward onto her toes and gave him an appropriately chaste kiss on the cheek.
"Congratulations, Commander," A.J. smiled, extending his hand as the sound of applause flooded the room.
The timing had come as a surprise to everyone, but the promotion itself was not. Over the last two years, since losing his leg to the Afghani landmine, Bud had risen above remarkable odds to regain his independence and return to his former duties. If anyone was worthy of advancement as a Naval officer, it was Bud, and the JAG crew now converged in the conference room to offer him their best wishes.
"Well done, Bud." Harm clapped his friend warmly on the back. "You deserve it."
"Thank you, sir! I can't believe this is happening!" Feeling like a grinning fool, Bud turned to accept Mac's friendly hug.
Watching his staff crowd around the man of the hour, Admiral Chegwidden reflected back on how much Bud had grown over the years. The bumbling, awkward young junior lieutenant had matured into a confident, competent attorney and dedicated husband and father. *He's become one helluv an officer,* A.J. mused.
Eventually, however, the time came to put an end to the morning's merriment. Clearing his throat, the Admiral announced, "There will be a wet down for Commander Roberts this evening at McMurphy's starting at 1930. In the meantime we've got work to do. Let's get back to business, people."
Conveying their regards, the rest of the JAG staff slowly began filtering out of the conference room in the direction of the bullpen. Soon, the only people left aside from Bud and Harriet were Commander Rabb, Colonel MacKenzie, and the Admiral. Following her husband into the hallway outside, Harriet caught the Admiral's lowered voice.
"Colonel, Commander, if I might have a word with you..."
"Certainly, sir," Harm replied.
Harriet turned to close the door behind her so that the three other officers would have some privacy. Just as it was about to click shut, the Admiral said, "So when are the two of you planning to make your own announcement?"
Her curiosity piqued, she paused, holding the door slightly ajar.
"We'd discussed telling people this afternoon, but we don't want to steal Bud's thunder, sir." Colonel MacKenzie's words filtered clearly through to where Harriet stood. "It can't be put off much longer though..."
"... since we've already begun telling our family, including Mattie and Petty Officer Coates..." added the Commander.
"... and honestly, sir, if we don't say something soon everyone will be able to figure it out for themselves," the Colonel chuckled.
*I wonder if they know they're finishing each other's sentences,* Harriet grinned absently. Absorbing what she'd just heard, an idea suddenly popped into her head. The wheels turning, she looked around and realized that Bud was nowhere in sight – he'd probably be in his office by now. Quietly latching the door, she quickly scurried off in pursuit.
"There's one other thing, sir," Harm said, glancing at Mac. "The Colonel and I started looking at houses over the weekend."
The Admiral's reaction was impossible to judge -- the older man had one of the best poker faces Harm had ever encountered. "I see. Anything else I should be made aware of?"
"No, sir."
He nodded. "Then I'll expect to be hearing something within the week. Dismissed."
* * * * * * * * * *
2210 Zulu; JAG Headquarters; Falls Church, Virginia
The sound of leaves rustling filled the air as the autumn breeze whipped through the trees overhead. A cold front had settled into the Washington area and the foliage had started to turn colors, sure signs that the summer weather was finally coming to an end. Pulling her jacket more tightly around her, Mac opened the door to her car and flashed Harm an easy smile.
"Thanks," she said as she took her briefcase from him. "A girl could get used to this curbside service."
"Anything I can do to help. You're carrying something more important than case files, don't forget."
"Har har," she groaned, rolling her eyes at his impishness. "Very funny, Squid. See you at McMurphy's?"
"Let me run home to change and I'll come pick you up," he said. "We can make it a date." Mac's eyebrows shot up in surprise.
"Can I count on you to be on time for once?" she questioned skeptically, a taunting grin creeping over her features.
"I'll be on your doorstep at 1900 sharp, so you'd better be ready." Winking at her playfully, he took a step backward and spun on his heel towards his own 'Vette when he heard someone calling out.
"Commander! Colonel, wait up!" Limping slightly, Bud Roberts trotted across the parking lot. When he'd narrowed the distance to only a few yards, he slowed to a walk, face flushed. "You're both coming tonight, aren't you sir? Ma'am?"
"Wouldn't miss it," Harm assured him.
Mac agreed. "Don't worry, Bud, we'll be there."
"Terrific!" His expression turning somewhat sheepish, he said quietly, "You'll have to forgive the intrusion, but Harriet couldn't help overhearing your conversation with the Admiral this morning. She told me how you're waiting until after this evening's gathering to tell everyone about the baby."
Harm nodded. "This is *your* day, Bud. We can wait to make our little announcement."
Squaring his shoulders, the younger man looked first at Mac, then at Harm. "Ma'am, sir, I would be honored if you would share your news at the party tonight."
"Look, we appreciate the offer, but I think I can safely speak for the Colonel when I say that neither of us wants to undermine your time in the spotlight."
"With all due respect, sir," Bud argued, "you and the Colonel are family. Yes, I'm thrilled to have finally made Lieutenant Commander, but the two of you are having a BABY. There's no comparison," he insisted. "I can't think of a better gift than announcing a new life."
Mac's face softened. "We'll give it some thought, okay?"
"Thank you, ma'am." Knowing that he'd done his best, Bud grinned as he glanced over to where his wife stood patiently by their minivan. "I'd better hurry up, Harriet's waiting. We'll see you there!" Leaving them standing beside Mac's Corvette, Bud walked quickly to the other side of the parking lot.
"Well? What did they say?"
Chuckling at Harriet's obvious impatience, Bud waited until they'd both climbed into the van before answering. "They said they'd think about it."
"You didn't try to convince them?"
"Harriet, I can't convince them to do something they're not ready for," Bud said. He turned the key in the ignition and shifted into reverse. Checking his mirrors as he prepared to back out, he saw Harm helping Mac into her car. "I'll support their decision, whatever it turns out to be." With that, he took his foot off the brake and backed out of the parking space.
Adjusting her seatbelt more comfortably across her shoulder, Harriet relaxed her head against the headrest and closed her eyes. She never ceased to be amazed at her husband's generous and compassionate nature. *You're a good man, Bud Roberts,* she reflected quietly, smiling softly to herself.
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
To be continued...
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
"Lieutenant Sims, if you would do the honors."
Beaming, Harriet carefully divested her husband of his jacket before helping him don one with the stripes befitting his new rank of Lieutenant Commander. Then, running one hand down his arm, she leaned forward onto her toes and gave him an appropriately chaste kiss on the cheek.
"Congratulations, Commander," A.J. smiled, extending his hand as the sound of applause flooded the room.
The timing had come as a surprise to everyone, but the promotion itself was not. Over the last two years, since losing his leg to the Afghani landmine, Bud had risen above remarkable odds to regain his independence and return to his former duties. If anyone was worthy of advancement as a Naval officer, it was Bud, and the JAG crew now converged in the conference room to offer him their best wishes.
"Well done, Bud." Harm clapped his friend warmly on the back. "You deserve it."
"Thank you, sir! I can't believe this is happening!" Feeling like a grinning fool, Bud turned to accept Mac's friendly hug.
Watching his staff crowd around the man of the hour, Admiral Chegwidden reflected back on how much Bud had grown over the years. The bumbling, awkward young junior lieutenant had matured into a confident, competent attorney and dedicated husband and father. *He's become one helluv an officer,* A.J. mused.
Eventually, however, the time came to put an end to the morning's merriment. Clearing his throat, the Admiral announced, "There will be a wet down for Commander Roberts this evening at McMurphy's starting at 1930. In the meantime we've got work to do. Let's get back to business, people."
Conveying their regards, the rest of the JAG staff slowly began filtering out of the conference room in the direction of the bullpen. Soon, the only people left aside from Bud and Harriet were Commander Rabb, Colonel MacKenzie, and the Admiral. Following her husband into the hallway outside, Harriet caught the Admiral's lowered voice.
"Colonel, Commander, if I might have a word with you..."
"Certainly, sir," Harm replied.
Harriet turned to close the door behind her so that the three other officers would have some privacy. Just as it was about to click shut, the Admiral said, "So when are the two of you planning to make your own announcement?"
Her curiosity piqued, she paused, holding the door slightly ajar.
"We'd discussed telling people this afternoon, but we don't want to steal Bud's thunder, sir." Colonel MacKenzie's words filtered clearly through to where Harriet stood. "It can't be put off much longer though..."
"... since we've already begun telling our family, including Mattie and Petty Officer Coates..." added the Commander.
"... and honestly, sir, if we don't say something soon everyone will be able to figure it out for themselves," the Colonel chuckled.
*I wonder if they know they're finishing each other's sentences,* Harriet grinned absently. Absorbing what she'd just heard, an idea suddenly popped into her head. The wheels turning, she looked around and realized that Bud was nowhere in sight – he'd probably be in his office by now. Quietly latching the door, she quickly scurried off in pursuit.
"There's one other thing, sir," Harm said, glancing at Mac. "The Colonel and I started looking at houses over the weekend."
The Admiral's reaction was impossible to judge -- the older man had one of the best poker faces Harm had ever encountered. "I see. Anything else I should be made aware of?"
"No, sir."
He nodded. "Then I'll expect to be hearing something within the week. Dismissed."
* * * * * * * * * *
2210 Zulu; JAG Headquarters; Falls Church, Virginia
The sound of leaves rustling filled the air as the autumn breeze whipped through the trees overhead. A cold front had settled into the Washington area and the foliage had started to turn colors, sure signs that the summer weather was finally coming to an end. Pulling her jacket more tightly around her, Mac opened the door to her car and flashed Harm an easy smile.
"Thanks," she said as she took her briefcase from him. "A girl could get used to this curbside service."
"Anything I can do to help. You're carrying something more important than case files, don't forget."
"Har har," she groaned, rolling her eyes at his impishness. "Very funny, Squid. See you at McMurphy's?"
"Let me run home to change and I'll come pick you up," he said. "We can make it a date." Mac's eyebrows shot up in surprise.
"Can I count on you to be on time for once?" she questioned skeptically, a taunting grin creeping over her features.
"I'll be on your doorstep at 1900 sharp, so you'd better be ready." Winking at her playfully, he took a step backward and spun on his heel towards his own 'Vette when he heard someone calling out.
"Commander! Colonel, wait up!" Limping slightly, Bud Roberts trotted across the parking lot. When he'd narrowed the distance to only a few yards, he slowed to a walk, face flushed. "You're both coming tonight, aren't you sir? Ma'am?"
"Wouldn't miss it," Harm assured him.
Mac agreed. "Don't worry, Bud, we'll be there."
"Terrific!" His expression turning somewhat sheepish, he said quietly, "You'll have to forgive the intrusion, but Harriet couldn't help overhearing your conversation with the Admiral this morning. She told me how you're waiting until after this evening's gathering to tell everyone about the baby."
Harm nodded. "This is *your* day, Bud. We can wait to make our little announcement."
Squaring his shoulders, the younger man looked first at Mac, then at Harm. "Ma'am, sir, I would be honored if you would share your news at the party tonight."
"Look, we appreciate the offer, but I think I can safely speak for the Colonel when I say that neither of us wants to undermine your time in the spotlight."
"With all due respect, sir," Bud argued, "you and the Colonel are family. Yes, I'm thrilled to have finally made Lieutenant Commander, but the two of you are having a BABY. There's no comparison," he insisted. "I can't think of a better gift than announcing a new life."
Mac's face softened. "We'll give it some thought, okay?"
"Thank you, ma'am." Knowing that he'd done his best, Bud grinned as he glanced over to where his wife stood patiently by their minivan. "I'd better hurry up, Harriet's waiting. We'll see you there!" Leaving them standing beside Mac's Corvette, Bud walked quickly to the other side of the parking lot.
"Well? What did they say?"
Chuckling at Harriet's obvious impatience, Bud waited until they'd both climbed into the van before answering. "They said they'd think about it."
"You didn't try to convince them?"
"Harriet, I can't convince them to do something they're not ready for," Bud said. He turned the key in the ignition and shifted into reverse. Checking his mirrors as he prepared to back out, he saw Harm helping Mac into her car. "I'll support their decision, whatever it turns out to be." With that, he took his foot off the brake and backed out of the parking space.
Adjusting her seatbelt more comfortably across her shoulder, Harriet relaxed her head against the headrest and closed her eyes. She never ceased to be amazed at her husband's generous and compassionate nature. *You're a good man, Bud Roberts,* she reflected quietly, smiling softly to herself.
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
To be continued...
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---