First Impressions Part 8/11

Disclaimer - See part one for all important information

Sunday July 1

10:34 PM

Sarah, Harm, and Mac sat in the living room talking about different things. "So when are you two going to have the wedding?" Sarah asked.

"We've been talking about the last weekend in August," Harm said. "Something small, just friends and family."

"Anyplace special?"

Mac smiled. "There is this small church in Arlington we both like."

Sarah listened to their plans with hope for their future.

"We've already asked Chaplain Turner to do the ceremony. Sergei doesn't think he'll be able to come. He made me promise to mail him pictures." Harm wrapped an arm around Mac's shoulders.

"Chloe was practically jumping up and down when I asked her to be in the wedding." Mac smiled as she remembered the young girl's exuberance.

"What about your family, Sarah, are they excited?" Sarah asked as she noted how Mac's body language changed slightly.

"My uncle is very excited, but he's unable to come."

"Why can't he attend?" Sarah asked.

"He's serving his seventh year of a twenty year sentence," Mac honestly said.

"He's in jail?" Sarah asked with a shocked expression.

"He stole the Declaration of Independence. It was the first case we worked together." Harm kissed Mac on the cheek as he lightened the mood of the conversation. "The colonel is very excited to see the wedding pictures already though."

Sarah laughed at her grandson. "How about your parents?"

Mac took a deep breath and Harm gave her a reassuring squeeze. "My father died a few years ago and I don't know where my mother is. The last time I saw her was when my father died."

"I'm sorry, I didn't know." Sarah was slightly upset at herself for bringing up bad memories for Mac. She, however, had no problem pulling her trump card on Harm. "I bet Trish is trilled to know you two are getting married."

Mac looked at Harm, waiting for him to say something but he didn't. "Harm, you did tell your mom right?" Harm avoided her gaze. "Harm?"

"I haven't told her yet."

Mac loudly exhaled. "Why not?"

"I want to enjoy this weekend with you and Grandma and not worry about my mother."

"When was the last time you talked to Trish?" Sarah asked.

Harm closed his eyes, knowing he was going to get in trouble with one or both of the women in the room. "The day she left DC last month."

"I thought you were going to talk to her," Mac quickly said.

"I tried to call, but I couldn't."

"Why not?" Sarah asked, sounding calmer then she felt.

"I can't forgive her for saying those things about you." Harm looked at Mac.

Sarah looked at her grandson. "She didn't mean those things she said to Mac, Harm."

"I know, but they still hurt me, knowing she could say those things about the woman I love." He got an odd look on his face. "How do you know about this, Grandma?"

Sarah looked at the young couple. "I called her yesterday to talk about the wedding. Trish wasn't home, so Frank and I talked. He told me everything. Frank doesn't like it anymore than you do, Harm."

"Frank is a good guy." Harm looked at Mac who was very quiet. "Mac, I'm sorry I didn't call her like I told you I would."

Mac tuned on the couch so she could look Harm directly in his eyes. "You need to talk to her."

"Why?" Harm asked. Sarah looked at the couple and decided to leave the room so they could talk. She quietly got out of her chair and walked into the kitchen.

Mac looked into his eyes. "I love you."

"I know."

"I want you to listen to what I am going to say. Okay?"

"Okay," Harm said as Mac put her left hand on Harm's cheek.

"I love you very, very, much. You are the man I am going to spend the rest of my life with and it is very important to me that you are happy," Mac said to Harm as he gave her a small smile. "Your mother is part of you and she is very important to you. I will not have you choose me over her or her over me." Harm opened his mouth to say something but Mac placed a finger on his lips to silence him.

"Please wait till I'm done," she pleaded. "I will not start our life together with her resenting me. Because it will continue into our marriage and it will affect our children. She is the only grandmother our children will know and it is very important that she loves them with her whole heart." Mac paused as the words sank into Harm. "Don't talk to her because I want you to. Talk to her for our children. For them."

"For them," Harm said softly to Mac.

"For them."

Harm lightly kissed her on the lips. "I'll call her when we get home."

"Thank you."

"So how many children are we talking and when are we starting?" Harm asked as he started to kiss her neck.

Mac gave him a slight giggle. "Well, we're starting during our honeymoon." She kissed his neck several times and worked her way up to his ear, "And I have a feeling once we start it's going to be hard to stop."

"I love the way you think." Harm passionately kissed her as Sarah entered the room.

Sarah smiled at the couple. "I take it you two worked everything out."

Harm and Mac broke apart, but he kept Mac in his arms. "Yes, ma'am."

Wednesday August 10

Harm's Apartment

8:15 PM

"We've got the hall, music, flowers, and the food all booked and paid for." Mac sat down on the couch.

Harm pulled her into his arms. "Good and I've taken care of the honeymoon. Bud is taking care of the bachelor party."

"This is a warning, squid. If your six ends up in jail it's staying there for the entire wedding and I will marry the first single guy I see."

Harm gave her a daring look. "Really?"

"Yes, really."

"We will just have to see about that." Harm pulled her down onto the couch and started kissing her. After a few minutes he stopped. "You sure about that?"

Mac smiled softly at his face and ran her hands through his hair. "Keep kissing me like that and I say we elope tonight."

"Harriet and my grandmother would kill us." Harm smiled as he leaned down to kiss her again as someone knocked at the door. "They will go away."

Mac laughed as Harm's lips descended upon hers. She gave him a playful shove. "Answer the door, squid. I'm not going anywhere."

Harm reluctantly got off the couch and walked to the door. He opened the door to find Frank standing there. "Frank. What are you doing in town?" Harm asked as he gave Frank a very friendly handshake.

"I had some business to take care of in Baltimore and thought I would stop by."

"Come on in." Harm smiled as Frank walked in.

When Mac noticed their guest she sat up and straightened her clothing. Frank smiled as he saw Mac sitting on the couch. "Hello, Sarah."

Mac stood up and greeted Frank with a hug. "Hi, Frank. How are you?"

"Good." Frank grinned as Harm joined Mac at her side by wrapping an arm around her waist. "You two look good together."

"Thanks," Mac said, blushing slightly.

"I actually came here to tell you two something. Can we sit down?"

"Sure." Harm and Mac sat down on the couch and Frank sat in one of the chairs in the living room.

"Trish and I received the wedding invitation." Frank paused, knowing his next few words would hurt the couple. "She's not coming."

Mac looked at Frank then Harm. Harm's smile fell from his face and Mac took his hand into hers. "Why not?" Harm asked as he accepted Mac's gesture.

"She won't tell me. I think she's hiding behind her stubborn pride."

"The wedding is in two weeks; maybe she'll change her mind." Mac tried to find a good thing about this situation.

"The wedding could be in two years and she said she wouldn't change her mind." Frank looked at Harm. "I'm sorry, Harm. I know how much you want Trish to be there."

Harm nodded at Frank and tried to smile.

"Are you going to be there?" Mac asked.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world."

Harm looked grateful at Frank. "How does Mom feel about that?"

"She's mad at me. But I think she is being a pain and needs to get over it."

"Frank, I'm sorry if I've caused you and Mom problems over this. Mac and I want the both of you at the wedding."

"Harm, you have nothing to apologize for. Trish is the one with the problem. You're my stepson and it's my job as a step-father to be there for you. Just like your father would be there for you."

"Thanks, Frank."

"No problem, in fact I need to know what to get you two as your wedding gift," Frank said with a smile.

Harm put an arm around Mac. "I'm getting her, what else do I need?"

Mac laughed. "Gee and here I was hoping for a toaster."

Everyone laughed at that comment. Frank smiled at the young couple as Harm gave Mac a quick kiss on her lips. Harm whispered something to Mac and she shook her head in agreement. "Actually there is something I need you to do for the wedding."

"What is it Harm?" Frank asked.

"Would you stand with me before the wedding and make sure I make it to the altar without having a heart attack?"

Frank took a second. "Sure." The two men smiled at each other, knowing they had just reached a new level in their relationship.

End Part 8