Part 15: A Journey of Separate Hearts – Buckingham Palace
AN to part 15: My special thanks to Fawe, who corrected me about London sightseeing facts, costs and other important things, which were important for that part.
February 12th 2003, Wednesday
0850 Zulu (08:50 hrs GMT)
Kensington Hotel
Mac's room, number 225
Notting Hill
London, UK
Silence.
It seemed like hours, but Harm only could stare at her in shock – not able to move an inch from the place he had been since Mac had awakened him.
'What had she just said? I am in 'her' bed? What's going on here?' he asked himself in confusion.
"Well, no matter what, I haven't slept so well and felt so home since…uh, I don't know since when."
A loud gasp from Mac brought Harm immediately back to reality. He turned his head to look at her completely and what he saw increased his confusion even more.
Her expression was a mixture of unbelieving shock and surprise. But more than the expression on her face, he caught the emotions he saw in her deep browns orbs: hope and happiness.
"What? Mac, what have I done?"
Silence again.
But this time Mac was the one who couldn't verbalize her thoughts. Harm's words had caught her off guard. By now she was sure that he hadn't even noticed that these words had just slipped out of his mouth, but it was too late for denial! Maybe she should just use some dumb excuse.
'Oh, no – not this time. He did say that he felt like he was home last night and we haven't even kissed each other… So why, for god's sake, should we continue this dance anymore? I don't want to pretend that that all of this never happened! It 'has happened'! So I just have to remind him…'
Mac took a deep breath and finally found the strength to look right into Harm's deep blue eyes.
"Harm, it's less about what you've done, but it's more about what you just said!" Mac could finally say.
"W… What did I just say, Mac?" Harm asked carefully.
"Well, Harm, you just said, that…that…oh my…Harm, you don't make this easy for me!" stuttered Mac.
"Oh, c'mon, Mac, we can say anything each other. Spit it out!" he answered in a now more teasing way.
But Mac's tone stayed serious when she spoke again, "Uh, Harm, you said, 'I haven't slept so well and felt so home since…' You couldn't remember since when, nevertheless that's what you said."
It was out – no misunderstandings or denials anymore – she had just repeated his previous words and now she searched in her partner's eyes for how he might feel about it. All Mac could see was a hint of shock, surprise, but then those feelings were replaced by truth.
Shock – because Harm wasn't aware that he had spoken these thoughts out loud.
Surprise – because Mac didn't seem to be annoyed, mad or upset with him and because of these words, and Harm himself was relieved in a way that she had heard it.
Truth – because every single word was meant to be the truth. He felt better as he had always felt since he had known her. With her, he'd always felt like he was coming home.
"Harm…Harm, what's with you? Harm…" she was worried because of the lost look on his face.
He shook his head slightly. "I'm fine…I was only a bit surprised that I said all that out loud."
"Oh, so it wasn't for me to hear? You didn't mean it, right?" she immediately regretted that she had brought up this issue and in her eyes were already unshed tears.
Harm watched her all this time and saw the changes in her actions and the hurt in her voice. He wanted to slap himself for not articulating in a clearer way.
"Wait, Mac, I…I didn't mean it like that…you misunderstood me. Hear me out, Mac, please!" With his right thumb and index finger he lifted her chin so that she had to look at him. He saw a single tear making its way down her cheek. Harm softly brushed away this tear with his thumb like he had done so many times in the years they had shared together. He smiled at her and got a shy smile in return. That was all he needed.
"Mac…Sarah…I only said I was surprised about the fact that I said those words out loud. I wasn't aware of that. But, Sarah, that doesn't mean I regret saying them out loud. In fact, I'm glad I did, and even more I'm glad that you heard them. Every single word is true – I feel like I'm home when I'm with you and I haven't slept so well since…yeah, since Christmas Eve when I learned that Dad was MIA. Sarah, you have to know that I don't regret a single moment of this vacation. I wouldn't change it for anything in the world. Do you forgive me?"
Instead of an answer, Mac threw herself into Harm and silenced him with a searing kiss. Harm's arms pulled her even closer and deepened their kiss.
It wasn't until the need for air that they parted. Their foreheads touched and their eyes were locked. For a while neither of them said a word.
"Is that a yes? A yes that you forgive me?"
"Of course, although I don't think there's anything to forgive. I guess we only have to work on our communication."
As if to seal this suggestion, Harm lowered his head and his lips found her mouth again. They nearly forgot their surroundings when Mac suddenly broke the kiss.
"You know I like doing that, but you still haven't answered my question. Why are you in 'my' room?"
"Well, Mac…it was really late when the cab finally reached our hotel. You were far asleep and I carried you into the hotel lobby and laid you on a couch. After I checked in, I woke you and we went to our floor. When the elevator doors opened, you were again in a deep sleep and I managed to enter your room and put you on your bed without waking you up. I was on my way to leave your room when you grabbed my arm and wouldn't let go until I lay next to you. I planned to leave you alone when you were deep in sleep, but I guess I didn't stay awake long myself. That's why I'm in your bed."
After Harm had finished the story, he just waited for her reply and looked at her. Mac was just stunned for a moment but then suddenly started to giggle. He had never ever heard his marine giggle like this. It was amazing and he couldn't help but start to laugh himself.
It took a while until they finally stopped. They felt relaxed and comfortable in each other's arms and enjoyed their closeness.
Just then Mac and Harm's stomach rumbled.
Both of them first looked at their stomachs, then into each other's eyes and smiled broadly.
"I think it's time for breakfast and then we can start our sightseeing. What do you think, marine?"
"I think you have a deal!"
With that they pulled away and both changed into fresh clothes in their separate hotel rooms.
February 12th 2003, Wednesday
1000 Zulu (10:00 hrs GMT)
Kensington Hotel
Hotel lobby
Notting Hill
London, UK
After they met again, they went to the breakfast room and enjoyed their breakfast. Now they walked to the reception desk to leave their keys with the hotel employee.
"Good Morning, Mr. Rabb, Ms. MacKenzie. Hope you slept well and enjoyed your breakfast," greeted a young woman behind the reception desk as she took the keys.
"Yes, the breakfast was delicious…" answered Mac, and Harm continued, "and I've never slept better."
"Anyway, we just wanted to ask which way we have to go to visit Buckingham Palace?"
During breakfast, Harm and Mac made a list of sights they wanted to see: first, of course, Buckingham Palace, afterwards the Tower of London with the Tower Bridge, the British Museum, St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Madame Tussaud's and, of course, Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus. Mac wanted to see even more, but Harm wasn't quite sure if they could visit all the points, which were already on their list. Nevertheless, he didn't say anything, because he just loved how enthusiastic Mac was – like a little child.
"That's easy, Ms. MacKenzie. Outside the hotel, Pete is waiting for you. He's your private cab driver during your stay in London. He'll drive you anywhere you want to go."
"Thank you!"
They walked outside and saw a small but chubby old man. He walked straight to them and said, "You have to be Sarah and Harm, right? But the photo Martha sent me doesn't show how beautiful you are, Sarah!" the old man smiled and took Mac's hand to place a soft kiss on it.
"My name is Pete Williams and I promised Martha to drive you anywhere you want. But first of all, I want to apologize that I couldn't make it to the airport last night. There was a big pile-up and I was in the middle of a bad traffic jam. I'm really sorry."
He took Harm's hand and shook it in a friendly manner. Both Harm and Mac couldn't help but smile. Pete was just a man you had to like.
"That's okay, Pete, we found the hotel and everything worked out!" Mac assured Pete, and Harm nodded with a grin in agreement.
"So, where do you want to go first?" Pete asked relieved.
"Mac wants to start our London sightseeing tour at Buckingham Palace."
"All right, Buckingham Palace it is. You're lucky, I have a friend there who's a tour guide in Buckingham Palace. I've already talked to him in case you wanted to visit. When we get there, you won't have to wait with the other visitors. You just can join the first tour."
"Oh, that's wonderful, Pete. Thank you so much."
"You're welcome. Martha told me so much about you two and I have to agree: you two are just nice people and I'm glad I can show you my home town."
February 12th 2003, Wednesday
1100 Zulu (11:00 hrs GMT)
Buckingham Palace
London, UK
It took them nearly an hour until Pete had reached Buckingham Palace and found a parking lot. He had called his friend and they met near the visitor's entrance. Nearly all important places and sights in London are generally free: The major museums like the National Gallery or the British Museum are free and you often only have to pay for special exhibitions and of course the parks, squares – like Trafalgar Square and circuses – for example the Piccadilly Circus are public places, though, only renting a boat or hiring a deck-chair cost some money, but that is really cheap and isn't a major expense! So tourists can do lots of sightseeing in London without paying too much money. The only exceptions, being "expensive" sights, are Madame Tussaud's, the Planetarium, the Tower, the Eye and Buckingham Palace.
Albert – Pete's friend – was not only the tour guide for the next tour Harm and Mac would join, he also gave them two free tickets for Buckingham Palace.
"Wow, that's just awesome. Martha thought about everything, didn't she? Thank you, Pete and Albert, we really appreciate that," Mac said still in amazement.
"You're welcome. Martha's friends are my friends!" answered Albert.
"Okay, guys, I'll leave you alone now, but here's my cell phone number. Call me when you've finished the tour then I'll come back. Enjoy the tour with Albert!"
"Thank you again, Pete. We'll see you later," said Harm before they disappeared in a crowd of tourists, listening to Albert's explanations.
"Though most of the senior members of the Royal family have their own official residences in London, Buckingham Palace is the official London residence of Queen Elisabeth II. The palace has nearly 600 rooms and the Queen lives in a suite on the first floor. Only a few rooms are public for visitors. The magnificent dining-hall is only used for official balls and royal weddings. In the summer, the Queen gives these popular and famous 'garden parties' outside in the beautiful garden with its lakes and fascinating statues. People from every citizen class are invited to these parties.
You always know whether the Queen is in London and in Buckingham Palace when the Royal Standard is flown from the roof of the palace…in case she isn't there, the Union Flag flies during daylight hours…"
Albert told all visitors everything he knew about Buckingham Palace and its history. Harm and Mac were impressed and amazed. They hadn't seen anything similar. They walked slowly with the crowd and listened to Albert. The whole time, Harm and Mac held hands just as if it was the most normal thing to do. And they never wanted to let go.
Just when an old lady asked Harm something about the palace that she hadn't understood, Mac let Harm's hand go to look at a special painting which had caught her interest.
Harm was totally wrapped up in the talk with this old lady who was to his surprise from Washington, too. First, when he realized that Mac hadn't said anything for a long time, he also realized that the warmth of her hand had left his own. Surprised, he looked around, convinced that he would find Mac next to him or at least close by visiting like he had been with this old American woman. But she wasn't.
Slowly, Harm not only felt a loss of her nearness, but also panic and fear. He asked nearly every visitor if they had seen Mac. He even asked Albert.
When nobody had seen her, he told Albert he would walk back the whole way they had come. He needed to find her.
Deep in his heart, there was a fear that he had lost Mac and wouldn't be able to find her. He knew immediately something was wrong.
"Mac, where are you?" he yelled. "Mac, that isn't funny. C'mon, marine, where did you hide?"
No response. Nothing – only silence. "Saraaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"
Harm looked for Mac feverishly, but couldn't find her. Something was wrong – very wrong…