Same Day; 2241 Zulu; National Naval Medical Center; Bethesda, Maryland

Harm waited until Mac had been admitted and was settled into her room before heading outside to make a few calls on his cell phone. When he returned to the maternity ward a short time later, Mac's door had been closed and no sounds could be heard from the other side. Turning the knob, he pushed the heavy door open a few inches and peered inside. The room appeared empty except for Mac, who lay in bed with her head resting back comfortably against the pillow. Her eyes were closed.

Not wanting to disturb her, Harm tried to be quiet as he entered. The door had other plans, however, and he winced as the squeal of hinges broke the silence. Opening her eyes, Mac blinked a few times before greeting him softly. She sat up a little as he stepped into the room.

"Did you get a hold of them?" she asked. Harm nodded, latching the door shut behind him.

"They're going to take the first flight out in the morning. Mom says 'Hi' and to keep your chin up."

"What a mess," Mac sighed. "I hope this doesn't cost them too much, coming out a week earlier than they planned."

"I wouldn't worry about it. From the sound of things, Frank was able to exchange their original tickets, and Mom's partner is going to keep an eye on the gallery. " Moving a chair closer to her bedside, Harm sat and leaned over to take her hand, giving her fingers a gentle reassuring squeeze. "How's my Marine doing, anyway?"

"Just trying to conserve energy while I still can," she smiled, letting her head drop back gently. "So I'm YOUR Marine now, huh?"

"Maybe."

A retort on her tongue, Mac abruptly tensed as she felt the next contraction welling within. "Hold on to that thought," she managed to say, sucking in a breath.

They rode it out together. Stroking the back of her hand as the spasm passed, Harm tried to soothe her as best he could. He was relieved when Mac's grip on his fingers loosened.

"That was stronger than the last one," she commented, a hint of awe creeping into her tone.

"Does it hurt much?"

Mac looked at him. "Yes and no. The first one hurt like hell, but mostly because it caught me totally off guard. Now that I'm expecting them, they're not so bad. They do seem to be getting more intense, though."

"Do you still want to try this without pain meds?" he asked quietly.

She nodded. "Dr. Alexander stopped in while you were downstairs. There'll be an anesthesiologist on stand-by if I change my mind. But in the meantime," Mac smiled, "I'm under strict orders to sleep as much as possible. The next few hours are probably going to get a little rough."

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2305 Zulu; National Naval Medical Center; Bethesda, Maryland

Knowing that the Commander and Colonel were otherwise occupied, Jennifer Coates offered to pick Mattie up from practice and take her home. When the teenager heard that Mac had gone into labor, though, she had immediately insisted on heading to the hospital. Jennifer reluctantly agreed and redirected the car towards Bethesda. After they'd popped in to wish Mac luck, Harm joined them in the hallway outside her room for a few moments.

"Tell you what," he suggested, "since Mac and I will be here for a while, why don't you two go back to the house and I'll call you when—"

Mattie instantly bristled. "Why can't I wait here?"

"For one thing, it's a school night."

"I can do my homework while I wait – my backpack is out in Jen's car." Placing her hands on her hips, she tilted her head back and smirked at Harm as if daring him to challenge her logic.

"Mattie, I can't stay with Mac and be out in the waiting room at the same time. You'd be by yourself."

"This is my little brother or sister we're talking about, Harm. Don't worry about me. I'll have plenty to keep myself busy."

"I can stay with her, sir." Jennifer winked at her former roommate.

Harm's eyes narrowed as he looked at his ward. "You just want an excuse to miss school tomorrow."

"I may be young, but I'm not stupid," Mattie grinned. "So how about it? Can I stay?"

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2322 Zulu; National Naval Medical Center; Bethesda, Maryland

Stepping out onto the skywalk towards the parking garage, Jennifer looked over at Mattie.

"After we get your backpack, do you want to stop for a bite to eat on our way back upstairs?"

"Sure." Grinning, Mattie pulled out her cell phone. "Just let me give Susan a quick call – I need to see if she can get tomorrow's assignments for me since I doubt I'll be in school."

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0137 Zulu; National Naval Medical Center; Bethesda, Maryland

Jaw clenched in concentration, Mac held on tightly to Harm's hand while he coached her through the contraction's peak. Absorbed in what they were doing, neither noticed when Harriet slipped quietly into the room, waiting patiently off to the side until Mac relaxed. Happy to see her friend, Mac beckoned Harriet to come closer.

"I'm sorry I'm late," Harriet said as she stepped around the bed. "The boys were acting up and I didn't want to leave until everything was under control."

"Don't apologize, Harriet. Your family comes first," Harm told her.

"Besides, from what the nurse tells me, this baby's taking its time and won't be making an appearance anytime soon." With a sigh, Mac glanced over at the medical technician standing unobtrusively off to one side of the room. "Thanks for coming."

"You're welcome, ma'am," Harriet said warmly, patting Mac's leg.

"It seems fitting that you be here, considering how Harm and I were with you when you had Little A.J."

"It will be a little like old times, won't it?" Chuckling as he remembered the almost-comedic moments leading up to the birth of Bud and Harriet's first child, Harm grinned at Mac. "The three of us are together and Bud's off dealing with unforeseen complications. The only person we're missing is the Admiral."

"Oh God, he was out of the office today. Did anyone call him?" Mac asked suddenly.

"I was so concerned about getting in touch with Mom and Frank that I didn't even think about letting the Admiral know," Harm admitted.

"I didn't call him either," confessed Harriet. "Hopefully Jennifer remembered, but I'll go ask just in case. She and Mattie have made themselves at home outside in the waiting room."

"That would be great, Harriet. If she didn't, would you mind contacting him for us?"

"Not a problem, sir." She smiled and headed for the door. "I'll take care of it."

"Thanks."

As Harriet left the room, Harm returned his attention to Mac, gracing her with one of his 'patented' flyboy grins. Leaning her head back against the pillow, she squeezed his hand gently before closing her eyes. Her next contraction would be upon them soon and Mac couldn't afford to waste the opportunity to get some rest. The evening was far from over.

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To be continued...

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