First Impressions Part 9/11

Disclaimer - See part one for all important information

Thursday August 17

LaJolla, California

Kiterman Office Complex

12:34 PM

"Mr. Burnett, there is a Sarah MacKenzie here to see you," Frank's secretary said over the intercom.

"Send her in, Cindy." Frank smiled.

"Yes, sir," Cindy said to Frank then she looked at Mac. "This way Ms. MacKenzie." Cindy escorted Mac to Frank's office.

"Thank you," Mac said as Cindy closed the door.

Frank stood up from behind his desk and walked towards her. "Sarah. What are you doing here?"

"I had an investigation in San Diego and thought I would come and see you," Mac said as they hug. "How are you?"

"Good. Is Harm with you?"

"No, I left him at home to deal with any wedding emergencies."

"He must love you for that one." Frank chuckled. "Come on, sit down. Do you want anything to drink?"

Mac sat down in a big leather chair. "No, thanks, I'm fine." She took a deep breath. "I actually have an alliterative motive for being here."

"I thought as much." Frank sat down across from her in another chair.

"Admiral Chegwidden assigned this investigation to a junior officer, but I convinced him to let me take it."

"Why?"

"So I could talk to you about talking to Trish." Frank gave her a surprised look. "I know she doesn't like me. But Harm really wants her at the wedding and back in his life. He misses her."

"She misses him, but she won't do anything about it."

"My flight leaves at four. I was wondering if you could set something up so I could meet with her."

"She's at the gallery today."

"I really don't want to bring you into the middle of this, but I need to talk to her," Mac pleaded with Frank.

Frank grabbed a piece of paper and wrote directions to the gallery. "Here's the address and the directions from here. She said she had paper work to do today and no appointments."

Mac took the paper from him. "Thank you, Frank."

"Does Harm know you're doing this?"

"No, I want to keep it that way for now. When I get home I'll tell him." Mac paused as she looked at the paper in her hands. "I figure the worst is already happening by her not coming to the wedding, only the best can come from this."

"Good luck, Sarah."

"Thanks, Frank."

LaJolla Art Gallery

1:19 PM

"Trish, there is a young woman here to see you?" A woman said to Trish.

Trish looked up at one of her workers. "Send her in, Kath."

Kath smiled and walked out of Trish's office. A few second later Mac walked into Trish's office. Trish put a smile on her face, but when she saw Mac her smile disappeared. "What are you doing here?"

Mac took a deep breath. "I would like to talk to you, ma'am."

"I have nothing to say."

"Good, cause I have a lot to say," Mac said much to the surprise of Trish. "Harm wants you in his life and at his wedding."

"I'm not going to be there. No matter what you say."

Mac looked at Trish and was starting to think there was no way this was the woman who raised the wonderful man she knew and loved. "Go ahead and hate me. But don't hate your son because of me. I can handle it. I grew up without a mother's love and turned out pretty well. A mother's love is a very powerful thing. He loves you so much that since this has happened a piece of his heart breaks every time someone mentions the word mom. He needs you. He doesn't know what to do without you in his life. For Harm to be losing you is comparable to losing his father."

"Don't you dare bring up his father!" Trish yelled at Mac.

"You're his mother and he loves you."

"I love my son very much."

"You have a funny way of showing it." Mac looked Trish in the eyes. "Harm told me once you always asked about me when you called. He said once you even told him I was quite a girl. What happened?"

Trish folded her arms across her chest. "Are you done?"

Mac squared her shoulders. "One more thing. Please, come to the wedding or at least talk to Harm and tell him why you won't come."

"You can leave now." Trish turned her back to Mac.

Mac opened her mouth to say something, but she closed it and didn't say anything. She looked at Trish's back and placed an envelope on the desk. Mac then walked out of the office with her head held high. When Trish heard the door shut she turned around and let her tears fall down her face.

Friday August 26

LaTours

8:34 PM

The wedding rehearsal went off without a problem. Not counting when Chaplain Turner asked if anyone had a reason why Harm and Mac should not be joined and Keeter yelled out; "I've got a list."

To which Admiral Chegwidden responded; "We're lawyers, we can make it look like an accident."

Everyone now gathered for the rehearsal dinner. The group of friends and family sat at the table laughing and talking as the door to the private room opened and Frank walked in. "Frank," Harm said as he stood up.

Frank smiled. "I'm sorry I'm late."

Harm gave Frank a hug. "You're here, that's all that matters."

Mac walked over to him and Frank gave her a hug. "Did she come?" she whispered.

"No," Frank sadly and softly told Mac.

Harm watched as Frank hugged Mac and smiled. "Frank, let me introduce you to everyone. Going around the table we have Congresswoman Bobbie Latham. I'm sure you remember Sturgis Turner and Jack Keeter from the Academy." Harm said with a smile and Frank smiled at Keeter, Sturgis and Bobbie.

"Then we have Bud and Harriet Roberts with Little AJ." Frank smiled as Little AJ waved at the mention of his name. "That's Chloe, Mac's little sister. Next to her is our CO Admiral Chegwidden and Meredith Cavanaugh. Next to Meredith is Chaplain Turner."

Harm's face broke out into a huge smile. "You already know her." He pointed to Grandma Sarah.

"Hello," Frank said to everyone.

"Everyone this is Frank Burnett my step-father," Harm said with pride etched on his face.

Frank and Harm sat down at the table as conversations started again at he table. Sarah noticed Mac's smile had some sadness behind it and after a few minutes she whispered to Mac. "Are you all right?"

"Fine."

"It's not your fault that she isn't here. You tried your best."

"I know, but it hurts."

"I know, but at least Frank is here. Now do I have to bring out the bath tub pictures of my grandson for you to smile?" Sarah said getting Mac to smile and laugh.

End Part 9