First Impressions Part 10/11

Disclaimer - See part one for all important information

Same time

LaJolla, California

LaJolla Art Gallery

Trish sat at her desk staring at the letter Mac left it there nine days ago. She still hadn't brought herself to open it. She stared at it, thinking of the fight she had with Frank earlier in the morning as he was packing to leave.

Flashback

"Why are you going?"

"I told them I would be there," Frank said, trying not to get mad.

"It won't look right, Frank,"

Frank finished packing his suitcase and closed it. "No, Trish, it will look fine that I'm there. What will look wrong is that you won't be there. His own mother not coming to the wedding because she didn't like the way she met his girlfriend. They love each other so much and it is a beautiful thing to be around. I'm sorry that you can't see that." Frank paused and looked at her. "I'm happy for Harm and Sarah, they deserve each other. I just wish you could be happy for them."

Frank walked to the bedroom door with the suitcase in hand. "My flight leaves at eleven, I'm going to the office for a while, then to the airport. I'll be home on Monday. We can talk then." He left the room without giving a goodbye kiss to Trish.

Back to the present

Trish looked at the envelope and then opened it. Inside was a letter and a picture.

Dear Mrs. Burnett,

If you're reading this letter it means that you still are not coming to the wedding. This is my final plea, but first, please, allow me to present my case.

Harm is the most wonderful man I have ever known. He is noble and honest. He will defend anyone he believes is right. He is also caring and loving. You raised a good man and I respect you for that. Your son has been able to look past my mistakes and love me for them. And I thank the powers that be everyday he has been brought into my life.

In the past few months Harm and I have spent a lot of time talking about different things. Most of the time has been spent talking about you. He's told me you have been there for him no matter what. It hurts him to know that you aren't there for him now. He needs to have his mother with him.

My mother left my father and myself when I was 15. I always had this dream that the mother of my husband would take me in. I guess I was wrong. But no matter how much I know that won't happen, I still hope it does. I hope you'll realize that hating me for no reason is a very bad decision and you'll decide to come to the wedding.

Harm loves you and I care about you. I know you must be hurting. But, please, know this; even if you don't come to the wedding we are still getting married. I hold not ill-will towards you and I know Harm can forgive and forget. Please, give me another chance to prove to you I love your son.

This probably hasn't been my best closing argument but it's the one I hope has made the largest difference. Inside is a picture of you and Harm I found at his apartment, I hope you can look at it and find the love you have for him.

Yours truly,

Sarah MacKenzie

Trish reread the letter again and looked at the picture. The picture was taken at Sarah Rabb's farm. Trish and Harm were sitting on the back porch talking about something. Through their eyes it was visible to see the love of a mother and her son.

Trish took a deep breath, picked up the phone and dialed a number.

Saturday August 27

Harm and Mac's Home

Arlington, VA

8:14 AM

Mac sat in the kitchen, drinking her morning cup of coffee before everyone else woke up. She stood up and walked over to the sink and rinsed out her mug when the phone rang. "MacKenzie."

{"Shouldn't it be Rabb?" Harm smiled from Bud and Harriet's house.}

"Not for another six hours and 4 minutes."

{"And four minutes?" Harm questioned.}

"Technically I don't become Rabb until Chaplain Turner pronounces us. I figure it should take him about 18 to 20 minutes to get to that part."

{Harm chuckled. "I knew there was a reason why I'm marrying you. I love you."}

"I love you, too. How long have you been awake?"

{"Not long. I just needed to hear your voice, since I can't see you till the wedding."}

"I know the feeling. Harriet would kill us if we saw each other before the wedding."

{Harm laughed. "Yeah, but I get to see you in your dress today. Can you give me a hint about it?"}

"It's white," Mac smartly remarked.

{Harm laughed. "Smart-ass."}

Mac took a breath. "Harm, I'm sorry about your mom not coming."

{Harm knew this was hurting Mac. "Mac, it's not your fault. We've both have done everything we could think of to get her to come. You even went to talk to her. If she's not coming it's her call. Just as long as you're there I don't care who else is there."}

Mac smiled at his words and decided to have some fun. "Just as long as I'm there you don't care who else is there."

{"Yeah."}

"Good, because I forgot to tell you I got the RSVP from Renee," Mac told him in a serious tone.

{"You are not funny, Marine. I'll get you for that one."}

"I hope that is a promise," Mac flirted.

{Harm smiled, knowing she had her flirtatious smile on her lips. "Wipe that smile off your face, before someone sees you." He took a ragged breath. "We're really doing this?"}

"Yes, we are." Mac sighed as they both slipped into a serious conversation.

{"Are you nervous?"}

"A little. You?"

{Harm chuckled. "My hands are shaking."}

"I'm scared I'll do something wrong."

{Ham knew both of them were scared for several different reasons and they played this conversation out several times before today. Instead of going into the usual reassuring conversation he decided to go with the loving conversation. "Just remember to say 'I do' when Chaplain Turner asks you to marry me."}

"Why you didn't like what I said last night at the rehearsal?"

{"To quote you, 'Let me think about it'. I thought Harriet was going cry because she was laughing so hard."}

"How about when I was walking down the aisle and Keeter ran up to you and yelled, 'Are you sure you want to marry a Marine?' I thought Chaplain Turner was going to kill him."

{"I almost killed him." Harm laughed with her. "But luckily the admiral got him to shut up later."}

Mac looked at the doorway of the kitchen to see Harriet standing there with a knowing smile. "I better get going, half of the bridal party is awake."

{"Okay, I love you."}

"I love you. Bye."

{"Bye." Harm hung up the phone, wishing he was able to count the seconds till the wedding like the love of his life was.}

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Washington DC

12:42 PM

"Are you sure you want me here, Harm?" Frank asked they walked down to the spot that held his father's name.

"Yeah," Harm said as he stopped in front of his father's name. "Hi Dad, bet you never thought you would see the day I would get married. In about one hour Sarah and I are going to be married. She'd be able to tell you the exact time."

Harm looked to his right and saw Frank standing there. "Dad, this is Frank, my step-father. He's standing with me today in your place. I knew you wouldn't mind. He's been there for me a lot of times whether or not I wanted him to be there. He's been a great father to me and I'm proud to have you two meet."

Frank stared at Harm and tried not to tear up at his words. Harm turned his attention back to the name and smiled softly as he ran his fingertips across the name. "We better get going, Dad. I'll see you around." Harm came to attention and saluted his father. Once he was done Frank handed Harm the rose he had and he placed it on the on the ground.

As he set the rose down he saw another rose and a piece of paper that said 'Lieutenant Harmon Rabb Sr.' Harm picked it up, opened the paper, and smiled.

"What is it?" Frank asked.

"Mac was here," Harm said before he replaced the paper next to the two roses. "Come on, Frank, I've got a Marine to marry."

Frank smiled as he and Harm walked back to the car.

Arlington Church of God

Arlington, VA

1:29 PM

Harm, Frank, and Sturgis stood in the groom's room, waiting for two o'clock to arrive. There is a knock at the door and Keeter walked in. "Hey guys."

"Hey, Keeter," they all said to him.

"I still can't believe you're doing this." Keeter looked at Harm.

Harm laughed. "You and me both. But she's worth it."

"Spoken like a man in love." Frank smiled as another knock came from the door and Bud walked into the room.

"Hey, Bud," the group greeted the other groomsman.

"Hi, sir's," Bud said.

"I wonder what the ladies are doing?" Sturgis asked.

"I just came from there," Bud informed them.

"How did she look?" Harm asked.

"Wow," was all Bud said and Harm smiled. "She also wanted to make sure you ate something." Bud handed Harm an apple.

"Aww, the little woman is already keeping tabs on you," Keeter joked.

"That little woman is a Marine who can kick your six for calling her that," Harm said.

Sturgis started laughing. "Only Mac would be thinking about food thirty minutes before her wedding."

"I don't think I could have kept anything down my wedding day," Bud said.

Harm laughed. "That's because Harriet wasn't talking to you."

Everyone laughed again as there was a soft knock at the door. Frank walked over to the door, giving Harm a few seconds to chat with his friends. Frank slowly opened the door and a look of surprise took over his features.

"Who is it, Frank?" Harm asked with a small laugh as Keeter was teasing him again.

Frank stepped away from the door to reveal Trish standing there in a light peach colored dress. "Hello, Harmon."

End Part 10